THE SPORTS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026
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Fines Up to KSh 10 Million and Five Years Imprisonment
Under the new Section 64A, anyone who directly or indirectly participates in, aids, enables, or assists in the manipulation of sports competitions commits an offence. Upon conviction, the individual is liable to:
- A fine not exceeding three times the value of the manipulated subject or KSh 10 million, whichever is higher;
- Imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or
- Both the fine and imprisonment.
Dual Investigations by DCI and Sports Bodies
The Bill introduces Section 54A, creating parallel and independent investigation mechanisms. When sports manipulation is suspected, investigations are conducted by:
- The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) under criminal law.
- The relevant sports organization under its own constitution, rules, regulations, and disciplinary codes.
Compulsory Information Disclosure and Broad Sanctions
Sports organizations are empowered to command disclosure and impose severe administrative penalties under Sections 54A and 64A, including:
- Requiring athletes, coaches, referees, club administrators, and support staff to provide information, records, or explanations.
- Imposing temporary or permanent bans, suspensions, de-registration, and forfeiture of competition proceeds.
- Sanctioning an entire sports club or association with the forfeiture of the match outcome.
Bill No.
Bill No. 5 of 2026
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 5 of 2026
Background
The Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to amend the Sports Act (Cap. 223) to safeguard the integrity of sporting activities in Kenya by defining, detecting, investigating, and penalizing match-fixing and the manipulation of sports competitions.
Key Amendments
- Defining Sports Manipulation: Section 2 of the Principal Act is amended to insert a definition for "manipulation of a sports competition." This covers any intentional arrangement, act, or omission aimed at improperly altering the result or course of a competition to remove its unpredictable nature and secure an undue advantage.
- Dual Investigation Framework (Section 54A): Establishes that suspected sports manipulations will be investigated independently by both the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the relevant sports organization. Neither investigation is dependent on the progress or outcome of the other.
New Obligations
- Obligation to Cooperate: Athletes, coaches, technical officials, referees, administrators, clubs, leagues, intermediaries, and support personnel must provide information, records, or explanations when required by a sports organization conducting an investigation.
- Information Sharing: Sports organizations are authorized to cooperate and exchange information with law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, betting regulators, and other competent authorities, subject to data protection and confidentiality laws.
- Right to be Heard: In conducting investigations, both the DCI and sports organizations must afford the person under investigation the right to be heard before any adverse finding or sanction is made, except where interim measures are necessary to protect the integrity of the competition.
Penalties
- Criminal Penalties: Under Section 64A(2), a person convicted of manipulating a sports competition faces a fine not exceeding three times the value involved in the manipulation or KSh 10 million (whichever is higher), imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
- Disciplinary Sanctions: Sports organizations may independently impose disciplinary measures under Section 64A(3), including warnings, fines, suspensions, temporary or permanent bans, de-registration, or forfeiture of proceeds and benefits.
- Club-Level Sanctions: Under Section 64A(4), if a sports club or association is found to have committed sports manipulation, it may be sanctioned with the forfeiture of the outcome of the affected match.
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