Government gives positive update over suspended FKFPL broadcasting partnership with KBC

The Kenyan government has provided a promising update on the suspended broadcasting partnership between the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to air FKF Premier League matches on a free-to-air basis.

In late 2023, FKF and KBC signed a seven-year agreement that would see KBC air two live FKF Premier League matches every weekend and provide radio coverage across 14 stations. 

The deal, worth approximately Ksh240 million per year, was intended to boost the league's visibility and financial stability, with each club expected to receive about Ksh10 million annually.

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However, the agreement hit a roadblock when the Ministry of Sports declined to fund the partnership, leading to KBC's cessation of match broadcasts for the 2024/2025 season. 

In contrast, Tanzanian broadcaster Azam TV continues to air FKF Premier League matches under a separate seven-year deal valued at Ksh145 million for the first season, with a 10% annual increment. Azam TV currently broadcasts four matches per round on its pay-TV and digital platforms.

Last December, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen criticized the FKF-KBC deal, which was brokered by former FKF President Nick Mwendwa and former CS Ababu Namwamba. 

Murkomen labeled the agreement as "shrouded with mystery," citing a lack of transparency and accountability. He questioned why the government was expected to support KBC instead of engaging with broadcasters capable of directly investing in football clubs.

“This is the problem I had with Nick. You go sign a deal with a sports broadcasting house that has no capacity to give money to the teams, then ask the government to come and support the station to go and cover these clubs,” Murkomen said in an interview on NTV.

“Why can’t we give the deal of airing Kenyan Premier League matches to somebody who has the capacity to invest into clubs? 

“I hope this is one of the things the new FKF team will do in office—to ensure they are sourcing money for themselves.”

Despite this past skepticism, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum has now hinted at potential talks to reinstate the FKF-KBC deal.

“There are conversations we are having. KBC is our premier broadcasting partner, and they have to air all the tournaments,” Tum stated, suggesting a possible resolution to the dispute.

KBC has remained an integral broadcaster for Kenyan football, consistently airing national team matches, including Harambee Starlets’ recent 0-0 draw against Tunisia in the first round of the WAFCON qualifiers at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

With discussions reportedly ongoing, Kenyan football fans may soon see the return of free-to-air FKF Premier League matches on KBC, potentially revitalizing the league’s reach and engagement across the country.