TLDR
- Kenya’s National Assembly passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026 at Second Reading.
- The Bill would make match-fixing a criminal offence with tougher sanctions.
- New penalties include up to one year in prison or a fine of up to KSh1 million.
- Lawmakers linked betting company pressure to rising match-fixing risks for young players.
- The Bill now moves to the Committee of the Whole House for further review.
Kenya’s Parliament has taken a step toward criminalizing match-fixing in sports.
The National Assembly passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026 at Second Reading this week. The Bill was introduced by Nominated MP Irene Mayaka.
Lawmakers debated the Bill on July 29. It aims to close gaps in current law around sports manipulation.
During the debate, MPs focused on Section 61 of the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act. That law already bans cheating in betting.
However, the current punishment is capped at a six month prison term. Mayaka told fellow lawmakers this penalty is too light.
She pointed to the Macolin Convention as an international example. It calls for cooperation between governments, sports groups and betting operators.
Mayaka also cited Italy as a model. Match-fixing is a criminal offence there.
New Penalties Under the Bill
The Bill introduces a new section, 64A. It sets penalties for anyone involved in manipulating a sports competition.
A conviction could bring up to one year in prison. Offenders could also face a fine of up to KSh1 million, which is about $7,740.
This is a shift from the current Sports Act. That law allows for a fine of up to KSh500,000 and a prison term of up to three years.
The new Bill raises the fine but lowers the maximum jail time. Beyond criminal penalties, athletes and clubs could also face match forfeiture.
They could also be ruled ineligible to compete. Mayaka said her amendments include “match forfeiture, organisational ineligibility, lifetime prohibitions and disciplinary harmony.”
Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Betting Firms
MPs also discussed the role of betting companies during debate. Some said industry pressure can lead to match manipulation.
MP Robert Basil said the Bill will help sports bodies, regulators and police work together. He linked match-fixing to financial losses for both bettors and betting firms.
Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya raised concerns about companies like SportPesa. He said their growth makes young players more vulnerable to manipulation.
He added that matches can be compromised so large payouts can be won through betting. Not all lawmakers agreed the new fine goes far enough.
Some MPs said the KSh1 million cap may not be strong enough to stop offenders. Despite this, the House approved the Bill at Second Reading.
It follows past cases of attempted match-fixing in Kenya. Between 2021 and 2023, there were attempts to manipulate Nairobi City Stars Premier League matches.
A police sting in 2023 led to three arrests. Suspects allegedly offered players money to throw a match.
The Bill will now move to the Committee of the Whole House. It will undergo further review there before it can become law.
