This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has introduced a new policy requiring National Super League (NSL) clubs to pay referees officiating their matches, starting from this season.
According to Acting FKF Secretary General Barry Otieno, the decision was made due to financial challenges faced by the federation, which owes referees arrears from last season.
As part of the new arrangement, NSL clubs will receive 85% of the broadcast sponsorship money, while FKF will retain 15% for administration. The federation receives Sh10 million annually from Bamba Sports for TV rights.
However, several club officials have expressed concerns that the new policy could exacerbate existing financial struggles and potentially lead to walkovers or bribery of referees.
Each team is expected to pay Sh10,000 per game, which could be a significant burden for many clubs, especially considering that top-tier referees are paid by the Kenyan Premier League.
