Football Kenya Federation have tentatively set the top-flight league to resume on May 12 pending consultations with the Ministry of Sports.
Speaking exclusively to the Star, barely hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the ban on sporting activities, a well-placed official at the federation said they were laying the ground for competition to resume two weeks from now.
“We plan to write to the Ministry of Sports to express our interest in resuming the FKF Premier League by May 12.
“We would have wished to resume straight away but protocol demands that we consult them first,” said the official.
A communique issued later in the day by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Competitions department indicated the top tier would kick off on May 12 before other leagues follow on May 15th.
“Following the Presidential Address earlier today (May 1, 2021) and in consultation with both the FKF Leagues & Competitions Committee chairman and the FKF general secretary, we wish to inform you that plans are underway to have the leagues resume tentatively on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, for the Premier League and May 15, 2021, for the Super League and other leagues,” said the communication.
“We shall communicate the revised fixtures as soon as possible to enable clubs to prepare and plan accordingly,” read the statement.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations from State House, Nairobi, President Uhuru asked the ministries of Sports and Health to consider allowing competitions to resume under strict guidelines. The new orders are set to take effect from Sunday, May 2.
“That the resumption of sporting activities shall be guided by the regulations to be issued by the Ministry of Health jointly with the Ministry of Sports,” said Uhuru.
The news will be a big relief for Kenyan footballers who were devastated after competitions were halted for the second time in a year.
In 2020, FKF boss Nick Mwendwa whipped up heated controversy after he unilaterally canceled the top tier and declared Gor Mahia champions based on the Fifa statutes that guide league cancellation.
However, Mwendwa assured stakeholders last week he was not about to travel the same path again this time around and guaranteed that the fixtures would be done at full length.
By the time the FKF-PL was halted, Tusker had secured their position at the apex of the log with 36 points, six clear of closest rivals KCB.
