Kenya National Assembly passes bill to criminalize match-fixing

The Kenyan National Assembly has passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at combating match-fixing and the manipulation of sporting competitions. Sponsored by Nominated MP Irene Mayaka, the legislation introduces a comprehensive legal definition of sports manipulation, covering bribery, conspiracy to fix results, deliberate underperformance, and the use of insider information for betting.

Under the new law, individuals convicted of manipulating competitions could face fines of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The bill also allows for the confiscation of any benefits obtained through such manipulation. Beyond criminal penalties, clubs and professionals may face sporting sanctions, including match forfeiture, suspensions, or lifetime bans.

The legislation strengthens the investigative powers of Sports Kenya, mandating that investigations into suspected manipulation be completed within six months in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the Sports Disputes Tribunal will have expanded jurisdiction to hear appeals regarding decisions made by Sports Kenya.