Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has revealed the club has spent more than Ksh3.5 million on player salaries during the prolonged wait for FKF Premier League resumption.
The Kenyan top flight has been inactive since 31 May, when the 2025/26 season concluded, leaving clubs facing an extended pre-season as they waited for the new campaign to begin.The league had initially been pencilled in for August but was repeatedly delayed amid a dispute over the promotion and relegation regulations used in the previous season.
Speaking on Wednesday at Bukhungu Stadium after unveiling Homeboyz’s new-look squad and jerseys, the club boss said the financial burden of maintaining a playing squad without competitive matches has been significant.“We have spent a lot of money waiting for the league to kick off. You have to pay salaries to players even when they are not playing,” Shimanyula told the media in Kakamega.“For us at Homeboyz, our monthly salary bill is over Ksh3.5 million. We are paying that money while the players are only training and not playing competitive matches. So, all the teams have suffered.”
The club has therefore spent at least Ksh3.5 million on salaries alone over the one-month league resumption delay, based on the figure given by the chairman, with additional costs likely to include training, travel and other operational expenses. The prolonged standoff stems from a dispute over the regulations governing promotion and relegation for the 2025/26 season.
FKF had announced that three teams would be relegated from the Premier League and three promoted from the National Super League (NSL), in line with the 2025 regulations.
Kariobangi Sharks, who finished 16th, challenged the decision, arguing that the 2019 FKF regulations should have applied because the season had been played under that framework.The dispute subsequently moved to court and contributed to the delay in starting the new campaign. The Premier League is now, however, scheduled to begin on Saturday, 19 September, bringing an end to a wait of more than three-and-a-half months between competitive league matches.
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The opening round will see Mathare United face APS Bomet at Police Sacco Stadium, while Posta Rangers host Shabana at Wang’uru Stadium.Ulinzi Stars will take on Tusker at Ulinzi Sports Complex, with defending champions Gor Mahia opening their title defence against Murang’a Seal at Nyayo Stadium.
On Sunday, AFC Leopards will begin their campaign against Bandari at Nyayo Stadium as they seek to challenge for the league title. Newly promoted Migori Youth will entertain Kenya Police at Awendo Green Stadium, while 3K FC will make their Premier League debut against Mara Sugar at Moi Stadium in Embu. Nairobi United, meanwhile, will host KCB at Police Sacco Stadium as Patrick Aussems begins his second stint in Kenyan football.