Kenyan football has once again found itself at the center of controversy following the ongoing dispute surrounding the venue for the FKF Premier League clash between Mara Sugar FC and Gor Mahia FC.

As debate continues among fans, administrators, and stakeholders, former FKF CEO and current AFCON 2027 Local Organizing Committee member Lordvick Aduda has weighed in strongly on the issue, pointing directly to league regulations and proper procedure.

According to Aduda, the FKF Premier League rules are very clear when it comes to changing match venues or kickoff times.

“The Rules are explicitly clear, should a team wish to change a fixture or kickoff time they SHALL be required to do so in writing within seven days of the scheduled date.”

His remarks highlight what many believe is becoming a recurring problem in Kenyan football — failure to follow administrative procedures despite clear regulations already being in place.

What the Rules Say

Aduda further explained that every club is required to submit:

• A primary home venue
• Alternative home venues

This provision is meant to avoid confusion and last-minute disruptions during the season.

He emphasized that if all proposed venues become unavailable or unsuitable, the club must formally communicate the situation to the federation within the required timeline.

According to him, Mara Sugar should have officially informed FKF in writing that the three venues they had proposed were unsuitable for hosting the fixture.

Only then would the federation have had the responsibility to make an informed decision regarding an alternative venue.

FKF’s Discretion on Match Venues

The former FKF CEO also pointed to another critical section of the regulations:

“In the event of neither venue being suitable, FKF will have a right to fixture a match at an alternative ground at its absolute discretion.”

This means the federation retains final authority in determining where a match can be played if the listed venues fail to meet required standards.

Aduda appeared to suggest that the process was not properly exhausted before attempts were made to halt the fixture arrangements.

“A Dent to the Premier League Brand”

Perhaps the strongest part of his statement was his criticism of the decision to escalate the matter publicly and obstruct the federation’s operations.

He described the situation as:

“Absurd and a big dent to the Premier League Brand.”

Those words reflect growing concern about how administrative disputes continue to overshadow football itself in Kenya.

Instead of discussions focusing on tactics, title races, or player performances, attention is often diverted toward:

• Venue disputes
• Fixture confusion
• Administrative wrangles
• Governance battles

For a league trying to grow commercially and improve its image ahead of major continental events like AFCON 2027, such controversies damage credibility.

Bigger Questions for Kenyan Football

The Mara Sugar vs Gor Mahia situation also raises broader questions:

• Are clubs fully aware of league regulations?
• Is communication between clubs and FKF effective enough?
• Are venue standards across the country adequate for top-flight football?
• How can Kenyan football avoid last-minute matchday chaos?

These are conversations the football community may need to confront seriously moving forward.

Fans Want Stability

At the end of the day, supporters simply want consistency and professionalism.

Fans travel long distances, spend money, and emotionally invest in their clubs every week. Repeated fixture uncertainty only frustrates supporters and weakens confidence in league management.

With Kenyan football preparing for bigger international responsibilities in the coming years, many believe stronger administrative discipline will be just as important as improving the quality on the pitch.

The controversy surrounding the Mara Sugar vs Gor Mahia fixture may eventually fade, but the lessons from it could have lasting importance for the future image of the FKF Premier League.