Football Kenya Federation and Azam Media Group have warned fans and clubs against illegal streaming of Kenyan Premier League ,(KPL ) matches, saying piracy directly harms the league and its clubs.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, they said unauthorised broadcasts reduce revenues, weaken sponsorship value and threaten the growth of Kenyan football, adding that legal action will be taken with immediate effect.
In a joint statement dated January 20, 2026, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Azam Media Group, a Tanzanian media company said they were alarmed by the increasing cases of illegal live streaming of SportPesa League matches on social media platforms, whether filmed from inside stadiums or captured directly from television broadcasts.
The two organisations stressed that broadcast rights to the KPL are legally protected. According to the statement, “the broadcast and media rights of the KPL are held by Azam Group Limited and Football Kenya Federation, with FKF retaining Free-To-Air (FTA) rights”. Any breach of these rights, they said, amounts to piracy.
The warning comes amid growing concern across African football over the rise of unauthorised digital broadcasts, driven by the widespread use of smartphones and social media platforms.
In Kenya’s case, FKF and Azam said unauthorised recording, streaming or redistribution of match content is illegal and amounts to piracy.
While illegal streams may appear harmless to individual fans seeking free access, the joint statement emphasised that the consequences are far-reaching.
“This practice directly harms the league and its clubs,” the organisations said, outlining a chain reaction that affects the entire football ecosystem.
They warned that piracy reduces broadcast and commercial revenues, weakens sponsorship value, and ultimately denies clubs the full commercial benefit of the competition.
For clubs that rely heavily on broadcast income and sponsorships to meet operational costs, the impact can be severe.
In recent seasons, KPL clubs have struggled with delayed player salaries, limited youth development programmes and inadequate infrastructure.
FKF and Azam argued that illegal streaming only worsens these challenges. “In the long run, this is detrimental to the growth and development of Kenyan football,” the statement said.
The two bodies called for collective responsibility in protecting the league’s value. “FKF and Azam Media Group therefore call upon all clubs, fans and stakeholders to work together in protecting the value of the league by respecting broadcast rights and discouraging illegal streaming in all its forms,” the statement read.
The appeal places responsibility not only on those who stream matches illegally but also on clubs, supporters and other stakeholders who may turn a blind eye to the practice.
With many illegal streams originating from within stadiums, enforcement may increasingly focus on matchday environments.
FKF and Azam also made it clear that the warning would be followed by action. “Appropriate legal and regulatory measures will be applied against individuals or entities found to be involved in piracy or the illegal distribution of KPL content,” they said.
The statement added that the directive takes immediate effect, signalling a potential crackdown on offenders.
While no specific penalties were outlined, piracy laws in Kenya provide for fines and possible imprisonment for copyright violations.
The issue of broadcast rights has become central to modern football economics. For leagues such as the Kenya Premier League, television and digital rights are a key revenue stream that supports clubs, players and league administration.
Protecting these rights, FKF and Azam argue, is essential if Kenyan football is to remain competitive and financially sustainable.
As the league continues, the effectiveness of the warning will depend on enforcement and cooperation from fans and clubs alike.
For now, FKF and Azam have drawn a clear line, insisting that respecting broadcast rights is not optional but fundamental to the future of the game in Kenya.
