Kakamega Homeboys and Rangers FC has been handed promotion into the top tier by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) despite all the matches in the season having not been played.
This has been confirmed through a communiqué from the federation to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) CEO Jack Oguda from the FKF Secretary General, Michael Esakwa which also confirmed that a Joint Executive Committee of FKF and KPL will decide on the final composition of the top-flight league for the 2016 season.
“This to notify you that the following clubs have been promoted to the Kenyan Premier League after emerging the top two for the 2015 season. Please be advised that other decisions regarding the composition of the league will be duly decided by the FKF/KPL Joint Executive Committee as provided by our MOU.” Read the letter in part.
The two teams have risen to the top of the standings after others absconded their matches insisting that they would not play until they were given details of the MOU between the Kenyan Premier League and FKF, promotion criteria and also the payment of the officials.
Kakamega Homeboys finished top of the league with 75 points with rangers finishing second with 74 points.
This matter has is however not far from over with the rest of the disadvantaged teams fighting on and even writing to FIFA over the development.
Majority of the clubs boycotted the league while some opted to honour the matches, those that boycotted losing points in the process but FKF went head to announce the promotion of the two clubs a move that has drawn criticism from football stakeholders.
In a letter addressed to KPL signed by FKF PL vice chairman Ken Ochieng, FKF PL say the league has not concluded after its suspension while urging KPL to revoke the promotions of the two sides.
FKF has however already taken further action on the team for the move to refuse to honour the last matches of the season.
Zoo Kericho could have claimed a podium finish but were undone by its decision- alongside several other clubs to boycott the league matches towards the tail end of the season.
There is however a chance that more teams being promoted if the proposal by the federation of having an 18 team first tier league next season goes through.
