FKF charts a way forward after KWPL pause

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has formally issued a new directive in the FKF Women Premier League, issuing a firm directive to clubs following the dramatic boycott of matches over the weekend of March 14–15, 2026.

In an official letter dated March 18, FKF addressed chairpersons and secretaries of Women’s National Super League clubs, acknowledging concerns raised by teams but taking a clear stance against the suspension of fixtures.

The letter, signed by Acting General Secretary/CEO Dennis Gicheru, urged clubs to immediately honour all scheduled matches, warning that failure to do so would result in automatic forfeits and potential disciplinary action.

“Deliberate refusal to honour scheduled league matches will automatically lead to your club forfeiting the match,” the federation stated, signalling a no-nonsense approach as tensions simmer across the women’s game.

The directive comes in the wake of a near-total shutdown of Game week 18 fixtures, where 11 out of 12 top-tier clubs withdrew their participation in protest.

The boycott was driven by long-standing grievances, including delayed FIFA Women’s Development funds, unpaid grants, lack of a title sponsor, and persistent logistical challenges such as travel and venue arrangements.

Despite the hardline tone, FKF struck a conciliatory note within the same communication. The federation revealed that structured engagements with clubs were already in motion, including a scheduled meeting with Women Premier League teams in the second week of April, followed by further consultations with other women’s divisions.

This dual approach, firm enforcement wrapped in a promise of dialogue, reflects a federation attempting to steady a rocking ship without losing authority at the helm.

Behind the scenes, the letter formed part of a broader push to de-escalate the crisis. Just a day earlier, FKF and the WPL Clubs Caucus held high-stakes talks at Kandanda House, resulting in a temporary truce and agreement to resume league action.

Additionally, FKF confirmed that the disrupted fixtures will be reorganised, while controversial walkover decisions issued earlier are now under review.