Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chief executive officer Barry Otieno has announced that the Kenyan Premier League fixtures will proceed this weekend as planned.
His remarks come even as four teams gear up for a major legal showdown, each claiming a stake in the top-flight league.
A Sports Disputes Tribunal ruling on Wednesday invalidated the FKF National Executive Committee's decision to nullify the 2021/22 season.
As a result of the decision, APS Bomet and Fortune Sacco will now be required to participate in KPL matches this season.
As for Mathare United and Vihiga Bullets, they will have to join the second-tier league after being axed.
The teams had received a lifeline following FKF NEC's decision to annul the season. In his ruling, SDT judge John Ohaga said the committee had no "legal basis" to cancel the league results.
“NEC was illegally reinstated by Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, and that being the case, the ongoing league itself is illegal since its kick-off date was set by the same body," Ohaga ruled.
In an interview on Thursday, Otieno said they hadn't received any official communication from the court and they only found out about the decision through the media.
“We can't halt the competition until we get to know what is exactly going on through the right channels. Nobody has communicated SDT's decision to us," Otieno said.
Otieno said they will only act after receiving a written decision from the SDT. “We have already engaged our lawyers and they are keenly looking into the matter for appropriate action. We shall be starting the same once we get direction.”
On November 17, the Kenyan Premier League season was thrown into confusion following an application filed by five teams at the Sports Disputes Tribunal on Wednesday.
The 2022 National Super League champions, APS Bomet headlined the list of clubs that moved to court to challenge FKF's contentious decision to annul the previous season and nullify the promotion and relegation of teams across all the tiers.
The side filed the case alongside last season's Division One champions, Kona Rangers, who also feel aggrieved after being denied the chance to join the country's second-tier league.
Other clubs enjoined in the case as interested parties include Dimba Patriots, Mayenje Santos, and Kibera Soccer Women, who were all affected by the decision.
In light of the petition, Mathare United and Vihiga Bullets who were relegated by the Transition Committee have temporarily been omitted from the fixtures.
In matches set for Saturday, Bidco will host champions Tusker at Thika Stadium while Sofapaka will flex muscles with AFC Leopards at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
On Sunday, Kakamega Homeboyz will host under-fire Ulinzi Stars at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega as KCB dares Nzoia Sugar at Mou Stadium Kasarani Stadium.
Posta Rangers have a date with Nairobi City Stars at Thika Stadium while Kenya Police will be seeking their first win when they face Bandari at Kasarani.
