Kenya is a step closer to making match-fixing and other forms of sports manipulation criminal offences after the National Assembly passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for tougher action against those accused of influencing sporting competitions for personal gain.
The Bill, sponsored by Nominated MP Nyakerario Mayaka, seeks to amend the Sports Act (Cap. 223) to create specific offences for manipulating sporting events and provide a stronger framework for investigating and dealing with such cases.
The legislation was approved after it was read for a second time in the National Assembly on July 29, 2026, before being committed to the Committee of the Whole House for further consideration.
It was first introduced in Parliament on March 11, 2026, when it was read for the first time and referred to the relevant committee. It was published as National Assembly Bill No. 5 of 2026.
Mayaka sponsored the Bill amid repeated allegations of match-fixing in Kenyan sport and concerns that existing laws do not specifically make the manipulation of sporting events a criminal offence.
“The main objective of this Bill is to criminalise sports and match manipulation, as well as match-fixing, in Kenya. We propose amending a couple of sections of the principal Act to align with our intended approach. We are amending Section 2 to introduce the definition of sports manipulation. We are also amending Section 3 of the principal Act to provide the specific provisions relating to sports manipulation.”
Under the proposed law, offences would include offering or receiving bribes to influence the outcome of a sporting competition, deliberately underperforming, working with others to manipulate a match and using inside information to place bets.
Mayaka said the absence of a specific offence under the current Sports Act has made it difficult to pursue cases involving match manipulation.
Existing measures have mainly depended on disciplinary action by sports federations. The Sports Act, 2013, does not contain a specific offence for match-fixing, although Section 315 deals with cheating.
The Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act also prohibits cheating in betting, but the offence carries a maximum penalty of six months.
The legal gap has come under greater focus following repeated match-fixing allegations in Kenyan football.
In May 2024, Football Kenya Federation suspended five people — three referees, a player and a team manager — over alleged match-fixing.
In March 2025, Kenya goalkeeper Patrick Matasi was provisionally suspended for 90 days as investigations were carried out into alleged match manipulation.
The issue has continued into 2026, with FKF suspending 16 players and coaches in July following allegations of match-fixing.
The proposed legislation would also give Sports Kenya a bigger role in handling suspected cases. The agency would be allowed to receive reports of suspected sports manipulation and investigate them in cooperation with law enforcement and other regulatory agencies.
According to the National Assembly notice, investigations would have to be completed within six months.
The Bill also proposes expanding the powers of the Sports Disputes Tribunal to allow athletes, clubs and other affected parties to challenge decisions made by Sports Kenya in relation to match-manipulation cases.
Mayaka said the new law was needed to protect athletes while safeguarding the reputation of Kenyan sport.
“I want to provide background on this Bill. Its legislative intent arises from numerous cases of match-fixing and other criminal offences within the sports fraternity. Yet, we do not have any specific law that criminalises these particular vices.”
If enacted, the Bill would introduce a clear criminal and investigative framework for dealing with sports manipulation, while giving athletes, clubs and other affected stakeholders a formal avenue to challenge decisions made during investigations.