CS Mvurya hints at new league structure to boost football talent acquisition

Speaking on Citizen TV’s Sema na Citizen on Thursday, Mvurya emphasized the need for close cooperation with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to introduce a more effective league format.

He says the proposed structure aims to support local talent growth, increase competitiveness, and attract more commercial sponsorships to both top-flight and lower-tier clubs.

“We have agreed with FKF that we need a new league format which will identify talent and build club sponsorships,” Mvurya stated.

“We are consulting closely with FKF, but with the current focus being CHAN 2024, we are still committed to developing our football from grass grassroots level.”

His comments come just weeks after the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee revealed plans to restructure the football system, proposing a five-tier model.

Under the new system, the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) would host 16 teams down from the current 18, while the National Super League (NSL) would be zoned.

Regional and county leagues would also be established to create a clear, competitive pathway for emerging talent. FKF said the proposal is awaiting public participation before implementation.

Mvurya welcomed the federation’s direction and noted that strengthening FKF’s grassroots branches is key to making the plan work.

He stressed the importance of good administrative structures and said the government will provide not just financial support, but also technical assistance to ensure well-organized, competitive matches at all levels.

“Our FKF branches ought to be strengthened with good administrative structures for them to organize highly competitive matches and as a government we will not only give them financial support but also technical support.” he said.

The CS also appreciated the private sector commitment to its continued support in sports and encouraged more entities to come on board.

“We need more private sector entities to come on board and they should know that there are tax relief benefits for those who invest in sports,” he added.

As the countdown to CHAN 2024 continues, these reforms may soon shape a new era for Kenyan football, promising better systems, stronger clubs, and more opportunities for local players.