FKF Suffers Setback as Sports Tribunal Orders Fresh Probe into Abandoned Gor Mahia vs Nairobi United Clash

The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has nullified a decision by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues and Competitions Committee that awarded Nairobi United and Gor Mahia a point each from their abandoned Kenyan Premier League fixture.

In a ruling delivered Friday, the tribunal found procedural errors in the FKF's handling of the case and ordered the committee to conduct a fresh hearing. The committee has been given five days to reconsider the matter and must apply the 2019 FKF Rules and Regulations, not the 2025 version used in the initial decision.

The dispute originates from a highly anticipated Matchday 15 clash on December 21, 2025, at Dandora Stadium, which was called off in the 58th minute due to crowd trouble. Before the disruption, Gor Mahia had taken a first-half lead through Ebenezer Adu-Kwaw, only for Nairobi United's Ovella Ochieng to equalise just after the break.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

However, the celebrations were short-lived as unrest erupted in the stands. Clashes between rival fan groups led to a breach of neutral zones, and security personnel were unable to contain the situation. With safety concerns mounting for players and officials, the referee abandoned the match.

On January 30, 2026, the FKF committee declared the abandonment a result of force majeure, upholding the 1-1 scoreline as the final result and awarding both clubs a single point. Dissatisfied with this outcome, Nairobi United appealed to the SDT.

Represented by Nelson Odaya, the club successfully argued for an urgent review, leading the tribunal to suspend the FKF's decision and halt any related disciplinary proceedings pending the appeal's outcome.

The tribunal's final determination concluded that the FKF committee had incorrectly applied the 2025 regulations. The SDT clarified that the 2019 rules, which were in effect during the incident, should have been used. These older regulations place greater responsibility on clubs for their supporters' conduct and stadium security, with potential forfeiture of the match for misconduct.

In a significant secondary finding, the tribunal also declared the current FKF committee illegal, noting it had not been ratified by the FKF General Assembly as required by the federation's statutes. This means the body is not properly constituted to adjudicate such matters.

The decision leaves the outcome of the match in limbo and could significantly impact the KPL standings. Gor Mahia currently leads the league with 50 points, while Nairobi United are in tenth place with 30 points. All eyes are now on the FKF committee, which must deliver a new verdict by next Friday, potentially bringing closure to one of the season's most contentious fixtures.