Kenya Senate opens public input on match-fixing bill with betting regulators to present views
Stakeholders, including betting regulators, have been invited by the Senate to submit views on measures to investigate and criminalise sports competition manipulation.
Kenya.- Kenya’s Senate has opened public participation on the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with betting and gaming regulators among the stakeholders expected to present their views on the proposed match-fixing framework.
The Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 5 of 2026, would set out how cases involving the manipulation of sports competitions would be investigated. The process would involve the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alongside the relevant sports organisations.
The Bill provides for a fine of three times the value involved or KSh10m (US$77,250), whichever is higher, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. It also allows relevant sports organisations to impose disciplinary sanctions, including fines, suspensions, bans and forfeiture of proceeds linked to the manipulation
The Bill has been committed to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, which is required to facilitate public participation and consider the views and recommendations received when preparing its report.
The Senate Bills Digest lists betting and gaming regulators among the stakeholders expected to present views, alongside Sports Kenya, the Office of the Sports Registrar, sports federations, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, athletes and clubs.
Written submissions must reach the Senate by September 28, 2026 at 5pm, while the public hearing is scheduled for September 29 at 11am at the Mini Chamber, First Floor, County Hall, Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.
The proposed framework would also provide for cooperation and information exchange between law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, betting regulators and sports organisations.
The committee has 30 days to report on the Bill to the Senate. The legislation was passed by the National Assembly with amendments on August 19, 2026 and remains under parliamentary consideration.
If approved by both Houses, the Bill would proceed to the President for assent before being published in the Kenya Gazette and coming into force according to its provisions.
