The Sports Disputes Tribunal has issued fresh directions in the ongoing case involving the FKF leadership. The matter came up for mention on May 5, 2026, primarily to confirm service, compliance, and guide case management moving forward.
The Tribunal noted that the Applicant has not yet been served with responses filed by counsel representing seven of the Respondents.
At the same time, the 9th Respondent, through their legal representative, requested additional time to file their response. This lack of complete service and documentation was identified as a key procedural issue that must be addressed before substantive progress can be made.
FIFA Inquiry Takes Centre Stage
A central issue emerging from the proceedings is the acknowledgment by both parties that the dispute is currently under inquiry by FIFA. The Tribunal recognized this process as an Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM), making it directly relevant to the matters before it.
The Tribunal emphasized that responses filed by the parties must expressly address the FIFA inquiry, given its significance in shaping the dispute’s outcome. This positions the international body’s involvement as a critical factor in the overall proceedings.
High Court Order Does Not Halt Proceedings
The Tribunal also addressed concerns regarding a separate order issued by the High Court in Kiambu under a different petition. It clarified that the High Court order, which was issued after the Tribunal’s earlier interim orders dated April 27, 2026, does not prevent the Tribunal from continuing with the case.
According to the Tribunal, there is no indication that its jurisdiction has been removed or that the proceedings have been stayed. This effectively allows the case to proceed concurrently despite the existence of parallel legal processes.
Focus on Procedural Compliance
In its assessment, the Tribunal stated that it will be better placed to manage the dispute once all procedural requirements are fulfilled. This includes proper service of responses to the
Applicant, submission of any replies, and filing of all relevant documents by all parties involved.
The Tribunal maintained that the reasons for preserving the subject matter of the case remain valid. It stressed the importance of ensuring that the proceedings are not rendered ineffective before all parties are fully heard.
Strict Timelines Issued
To streamline the process, the Tribunal issued clear timelines. Respondents have been directed to serve their responses within three days. The 9th Respondent has four days to file and serve their response.
The Applicant has been granted two days after service to file any reply, with a deadline set before noon on May 12, 2026. All parties must also submit any additional documents, including those related to the FIFA inquiry, within the same timeframe.
