Standoff Between FKF and Azam TV Disrupts Kenyan Premier League Branding

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and league broadcaster Azam TV are locked in a dispute that has disrupted stadium branding during recent Kenyan Premier League matches. The standoff, which has lasted for two consecutive match days, stems from alleged unpaid dues by Azam TV to the FKF.

As a result, branding was notably absent during matches, including the Bandari FC vs. Shabana FC game in Mombasa and the Wednesday double-header featuring Kenya Police FC vs. Bandari and Gor Mahia vs. Sofapaka. Reports indicate that FKF withheld the branding in response to the broadcaster’s failure to fulfill its financial obligations.

The current broadcasting deal, signed under former FKF President Nick Mwendwa, has been a point of contention since its inception. The agreement was criticized at the time by Mwendwa’s predecessor, Sam Nyamweya, who described it as undervaluing the league and labeled the deal as “peanuts.” The long-term implications of this seven-year-old contract are now proving to be a challenge for the new FKF administration.

Under the leadership of President Hussein Mohammed and Vice President McDonald Mariga, FKF is navigating a transition period. However, the ongoing standoff with Azam TV underscores the financial and logistical challenges inherited from the previous regime.

This dispute raises questions about the value of the Kenyan Premier League and the sustainability of its broadcasting agreements. With no immediate resolution in sight, the absence of stadium branding is just one visible symptom of the broader financial strain facing Kenyan football.