Kenyan league to resume after court ruling

Nairobi: Top flight Kenyan football is set to resume following a three week hiatus after the high court threw out an attempt by the national federation to block games.

National governing body Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and league organisers Kenyan Premier League (KPL) have been at loggerheads for months over who should run the league, leading to the setting up of two competing tournaments and the suspension of all games.

On Monday the high court dismissed on procedural grounds the federation`s attempts to seek an injunction to prevent KPL from organising games.

"An incorporated or registered society like the Football Kenya Federation cannot sue or be sued in its own name unless the officials institute legal proceedings on behalf of the organisation," said judge Roselyne Aburili.

The national federation went to court three weeks ago to block KPL from running the league leading to the suspension of play.

KPL now says it will plan new fixtures as soon as possible.

"We will definitely have league matches over the weekend. Right now," said KPL chief executive Jack Oguda. "We are trying to see if we can arrange for mid-week fixtures and will make an announcement shortly."

But Monday`s ruling has done little to resolve the crisis which has seen the creation of two competing leagues in Kenya.

KPL, which has run the 16-team national championship since 2003, has the support of the country`s top football clubs while FKF, established in 2011 and recognised by FIFA, has set-up its own 18-team league, including 13 lower ranking clubs promoted to fill the available slots.

Delivering her ruling on Monday, Judge Aburili advised the two parties to seek an out-of-court solution to the matter.