Match Fixing Culprits Put on Notice as New Law Proposes Hefty Fines and Jail Terms

A new bill introduced in Parliament aims to impose severe penalties, including fines of up to KSh1 million and prison sentences, on individuals found guilty of manipulating sports competitions.

The Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Nominated MP Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, was presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday, March 11. The legislation seeks to criminalise match-fixing and fortify the institutions responsible for maintaining fairness and transparency in the nation's sports sector.

If passed, the bill will establish a comprehensive legal framework to tackle match manipulation, a growing issue that has cast a shadow over the credibility of sports both in Kenya and globally. It aims to close legal loopholes that have historically hindered the prosecution of those involved in fixing sporting events.

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A central feature of the proposed law is its broad definition of match manipulation. The bill classifies several actions as offences, including offering or accepting bribes to influence results, deliberate underperformance, conspiring to fix outcomes, and using insider information for betting.

The legislation outlines strict consequences for those convicted. Individuals could face a fine of up to KSh1 million, a one-year prison term, or both. For professional athletes and clubs, the repercussions could be even more severe, ranging from match forfeitures and suspensions to lifetime bans from all regulated sporting activities.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that any financial profits derived from match-fixing will be seized by the state, ensuring that offenders cannot benefit from their illegal actions.

The proposed amendment also aims to enhance the authority of Sports Kenya, empowering the agency to investigate reports of suspected match manipulation in partnership with law enforcement. To ensure timely justice, the bill requires that such investigations be completed within a six-month period.

In addition, the jurisdiction of the Sports Disputes Tribunal will be expanded. The tribunal will be authorised to hear appeals from athletes, clubs, and other parties who feel wronged by decisions made by Sports Kenya in match-fixing cases, creating a more transparent and structured resolution process.

The introduction of this bill follows a rise in match-fixing allegations across various sports in Kenya, with football, in particular, facing scrutiny over the alleged involvement of players and officials in betting syndicates.

The legislation will now undergo public participation and committee review before further debate in Parliament. If enacted, it could represent a major turning point in the fight to protect the integrity of Kenyan sports, ensuring that outcomes are decided by skill and fair play alone.