THE SPORTS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, 2024
Status Timeline
Proposed
Done ยท 13 Sep 2026
Public Review
Done
Debate
Active now
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Mandatory County Sports Academies
Section 38A requires each county to establish and maintain at least one county sports academy. These academies are mandated to identify and nurture sporting talent, provide specialized coaching, collaborate with local sports organizations, and offer inclusive programs catering to persons with disabilities.
Strict Safeguards Against Child Abuse
Section 54A obligates sports institutions to implement measures ensuring the physical and emotional well-being of minors. Institutions must perform rigorous background checks on coaches and staff, verify proper training and accreditation, and establish clear reporting procedures for misconduct and abuse.
Parental Consent and Legal Protections for Contracts
Under Section 54C, sports contracts involving minors are invalid unless signed by a parent or guardian who has obtained independent legal advice. Additionally, professional sports contracts are strictly prohibited for minors under the age of seventeen.
Accreditation Requirements for Athlete Agents
Section 54D mandates that minor athletes can only be represented by agents accredited by the national or international sports association of the relevant sport. Individuals convicted of human trafficking, sexual offences, or fraud are legally barred from representing minor athletes.
Bill No.
Bill No. 45 of 2024
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 167 of 2024
Background
The Sports (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024 seeks to decentralize athletic talent development to Kenya's counties and establish essential legal protections for young athletes. By amending the Sports Act (Cap 223), the Bill introduces structured governance for grassroots sports training and creates safety protocols to prevent the exploitation of minor athletes.
Key Amendments
- Establishment of County Sports Academies (Part IVA): Introduces Sections 38A through 38M, legally requiring every county government to establish and fund at least one county-level sports academy.
- Protection of Minors in Sport (Part VIA): Introduces Sections 54A through 54F, introducing child safety policies, education requirements, contract limitations, and transfer regulations for minor athletes.
New Obligations
- County Governments: Must establish and fund at least one county academy. County Governors must appoint a County Academy Management Committee, and County Public Service Boards must competitively recruit a qualified manager with at least ten years' experience in sports or facility management.
- Sports Institutions: Must implement systems protecting minors from child abuse, conduct mandatory background checks on all coaches and staff, and establish formal reporting channels for misconduct.
- Contracts and Legal Representation: Any sports contract involving a minor requires written parental or guardian consent. Parents must obtain written information and independent legal advice before signing. Minors can only be represented by agents accredited by national or international sports associations.
- Education Access: Under Section 54B, sports programs targeting minors must guarantee continued access to basic education, allowing minor athletes to pursue alternative careers if they cease playing professional sports.
Transitional Provisions
- Local and International Transfers: All local transfers of minors must comply with national sports organization rules. International transfers must satisfy national immigration laws, international migration conventions, and be formally endorsed by the respective national sports organization in Kenya.
Gazettement
The Sports (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda and Sen. Raphael Chimera, was published in Kenya Gazette No. 267 on 27 August 2024.
Gazettement
The Sports (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda and Sen. Raphael Chimera, was published in Kenya Gazette No. 267 on 27 August 2024.
Bi-cameral Consideration
A message from the Senate regarding the bill was conveyed on 6 August 2026.
First Reading
The bill was read a First Time on 12 August 2026.