The National Assembly has this week passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and advanced key reforms while approving nominees to two constitutional bodies.
The legislation, sponsored by Nominated MP Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, seeks to introduce a clear legal framework for preventing, investigating and punishing manipulation of sporting competitions in Kenya.
Parliament says the Bill targets match-fixing and other practices that threaten the integrity of sport.
Under the proposed law, manipulation of a sporting competition will include offering, giving or receiving an undue advantage to influence the outcome of a competition, conspiring to fix a result, deliberately underperforming and using insider information for betting.
A person who directly or indirectly takes part in, aids, enables or assists in manipulating a sporting competition will face a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to one year, or both upon conviction.
The legislation is also expected to strengthen the role of Sports Kenya in receiving reports of suspected manipulation and undertaking investigations in collaboration with other relevant agencies.
Parliament’s action comes amid growing concerns over match-fixing and betting-related interference in sporting competitions, particularly the vulnerability of young athletes to financial inducements.
The House also approved the nomination of Dr Duncan Oburu Ojwang as chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), clearing the way for him to take over leadership of the civilian police oversight body.
The approval followed the adoption of a report by the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo, which found Ojwang suitable for the position.
“Having considered the suitability, capacity, qualifications and integrity of the nominee during the approval hearing…the Committee recommends that the House approves the nomination of Dr. Duncan Oburu Ojwang as Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority,” the committee stated.
Ojwang, who previously served as Director of Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices Liaison in the Office of the Deputy President, is expected to steer IPOA at a time when the authority faces intense public scrutiny over police accountability.
He succeeds Ahmed Issack Hassan, who left the position after his appointment as a Court of Appeal judge.
However, his approval has attracted questions over his legal credentials, with the Law Society of Kenya raising concerns about whether he meets the statutory requirements for the position.
The concerns emerged after documents presented during the vetting process indicated that Ojwang is not a member of the Law Society of Kenya and has not sat the Kenyan Bar examinations.
The National Assembly also considered the nomination of Flora Nduku Mutua as a member of the Public Service Commission.
Mutua’s nomination was handled by the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, which recommended her suitability for appointment to the commission.
Her approval would fill a vacancy in the constitutional body responsible for overseeing key aspects of Kenya’s public service.
Beyond the appointments, MPs also introduced the Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2026, National Assembly Bill No. 56 of 2026, during the week’s proceedings.
The proposed legislation comes against the backdrop of earlier reforms seeking to determine how proceeds from the air passenger service charge are distributed among key aviation and tourism institutions.
The existing charge is Sh600 for domestic passengers and US$50 for international passengers.
The House also considered other legislative and oversight matters during the week, including measures touching on transport, education, public service and governance.
 Bill, approves Duncan Ojwang as IPOA chairperson and Flora Nduku Mutua to PSC, while introducing Air Passenger Service Charge Bill.){kind=link}