Women's FKF Premier League Funding Crisis as New Season Starts

After a long season break, the new FKF Women Premier League season is set to begin this weekend with a series of opening fixtures aligned to be played. The women's league has always been a center of attraction as it draws the attention of football lovers across the country. The 12 teams that are set to participate in the league have done intense preparation. The teams have added new faces in their teams, ranging from players to the technical bench.

2023-2024 Season Review

Kenya Police Bullets ended Vihiga Queens dominance to clinch the last season glory. Beldine Odemba’s coached side finished the season invincible as they walked on their way to glory. Winning the league earned Police Bullets a spot in CECAFA zonal  women qualifiers which they lost against Ethiopia's side CBE in Finals. Vihiga Queens, the dominant side, fell short to the Police Bullets, finishing second with 41 points.

Ulinzi Starlets tied on points with Vihiga Queens but with an inferior goal difference came third. Gaspo Women, Trans Nzoia Falcons and the newbies Soccer Assassins were relegated to the Women Nation super league. Vihiga Queen's reliable goal scorer Tumaini Waliula emerged the top scorer with 16 goals as her fellow teammate Sophie Akinyi won the golden glove as she kept 8 clean sheets.

2024/2025 Season Team Information

Will Kenya Police Bullets Defend Title

The stakes are high on last season's champions to win the league. They have bolstered their squad with the crucial recruitments. The addition of Bertha Omita from Sethu Fc, The Harambee Starlets U20 captain, Jane Hato from Mathare Women, Emily Moranga from Vihiga Queens and Elizabeth Ochaka, just to name a few. Their financial muscles will also play a pivotal role in ensuring they retain their champions status.

Four times league champions Vihiga Queens are also a force to reckon with, although they have been raided by some of their key players. Their goal poacher Tumaini Waliula earned a lucrative deal with Greece's side Sirines Grevena club alongside teammate Sophie Akinyi.

Ulinzi Starlets, has been a formidable force that has always challenged for the league but their efforts are yet to bore the fruits. Kibera Soccer Women's, a dark horse in this season's quest for the league title. The newbies KISPED Queens and Mombasa Olympics will fancy their chance to see if they can survive in this highly contested league.

Lack of a Title Sponsor

The women league runs without a sponsorship; neither a league sponsor nor a  broadcasting sponsor. With a few  days to the commencement of the league, the federation is yet to give clear guidelines on how the league will be financed. We have witnessed the league winners in recent years walking home barehanded.

Lack of sponsorship and funds is an ailing wound that has seen most women teams suffer. In the last season 2023-2024, we saw two teams; Trans Nzoia Falcons and Gaspo Women withdrawing from the championship after failing to honor three matches. Some teams struggle to run and operate their club activities due to limited finances. 

How Men's Club Licensing Affects Women's Football

In order to comply with the club licensing and obtain a license to participate in Kenya Premier league, all men's teams are required to have a women's club. Most men teams have adopted women teams on the basis of fulfilling the law

But has this approach impacted women's football? No.  Most men's clubs neglect the women's teams after acquiring the license. They don't comply with the rules governing the club licensing. 

Opening fixtures, 5-6^th October 

1. Kenya Police Bullets  vs Kisped Queens fc - Police Sacco
2. Trinity Starlets fc vs Bunyore Starlets FC - A.S.K Grounds  
3. Vihiga Queens vs Ulinzi Starlets - Moi Stadium
4. Bungoma Queens vs Kibera Soccer Women - Sangalo National Polytechnic
5. Kisumu All Starlets vs Zetech Sparks FC - Moi Stadium
6. Mombasa Olympic vs Wadadia - Ronald Ngala Primary