Initially slated for 2025/2026 footballing season, The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has postponed it’s sweeping structural reforms for the league system by another year.
The new administration had earlier argued that the changes were necessary in order to improve the quality of play, competitiveness and reduce the financial burden that has plagued most of the teams across all leagues in the country.
They included scaling down of Kenyan Premier League (KPL) teams from the current 18 to 16 teams and restructuring the National Super League (NSL), will now undergo further review and logistical planning.
However due to a number of feasibility concerns, the leagues will continue as they are with FKF Premier League retaining the 18 teams format while National Super League remains with the current 20 teams allowing them to start another season under familiar competition rules.
The changes are howevwer expetecd to take place in the 2026/2027 season as four Premier League will be relegated in the 2025/26 season to facilitate the transition. On the other hand, National Super League, a second tier football competition in the country, will be divided into two groups of 12 teams each, with the winners earning automatic promotion to the KPL.
Meanwhile, Kenya Conference League, the third tier, will expand into four regional zones (Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern), while the fourth tier will consist of 48 teams across four zones.
With the reforms delayed, the FKF will use the extra time to finalize promotion/relegation pathways and consult stakeholders. The 2025/26 season will serve as a bridge, ensuring smoother implementation in 2026/27. For now, clubs and fans must wait—but the sweeping changes, once in place, could redefine Kenyan football’s future.
