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MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
The Kenya Golf Federation (KGF) Board has moved to assert full control of golf administration in Kenya following a recent High Court judgment on the governance of the sport.
In a press release dated 3rd November 2026, the Board said it recognizes the importance of the decision in clarifying the legal and regulatory framework governing golf in the country.
The Board said it is conscious of the need to safeguard the stability of the game, protect the interests of golfers and golf clubs, and ensure promotion and development continues without interruption.
Following deliberations, the Board adopted a series of resolutions to guide the Federation’s next steps.
On golf administration, the Board affirmed that, “KGF is the national body mandated to run golf in Kenya.”
It will reach out to formalize engagements with the International Golf Federation (IGF), Africa Golf Confederation (AGC), The Royal and Ancient (R&A) and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK).
The aim, according to the Board, is to preserve existing affiliation arrangements to ensure uninterrupted and seamless continuity of the promotion of golf in Kenya.
On legal compliance, the Board acknowledged the High Court finding that the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) and Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) are not registered sports bodies under the Sports Act.
The court found that as such, they have no legal mandate to engage in or run the game of golf on their own or on behalf of golf clubs and golfers.
The management of both KGU and KLGU are now called upon to abide by the decision of the High Court and the provisions of the Sports Act, for the promotion of harmonious and lawful administration of golf in Kenya.
The Board resolved to immediately engage the Registrar of Sports on the process and mechanisms for compliance with its conditions of registration, with a view to expedited attainment of full registration of the Federation.
It also resolved to immediately engage the Registrar with a view to facilitating a smooth and expedited process of registration of golf clubs to ensure compliance with the Sports Act in a manner that does not disrupt their operations.
KGF clarified that registration of golf clubs is a legal imperative as a regulatory measure on the part of the Government of Kenya and does not in itself affect the corporate structure, operations and management of golf clubs.
On constitutional review, the Board said it is no longer tenable to continue with the existing review mechanisms that have been severally frustrated by both KGU and KLGU since 2022.
It noted that the Joint Constitutional Review Committee was established in September 2025 by KGF, KGU, KLGU and PGK with two representatives each.
The current KGU Vice-Chair and the current KLGU Chair were the Joint Secretaries of the committee, but due to failure by both KGU and KLGU to submit their corporate views, there has been no sitting since February 2026, leading to the collapse of the constitutional review process.
The Federation therefore committed to initiating an all-inclusive process that involves golf clubs and golfers in Kenya through a referendum.
On affiliation and subscriptions, the Board resolved to ease the process of affiliation of golf clubs to the Federation and, with subsequent consultation of golf clubs, consider much more reasonable affiliation fees.
It said a single, efficient secretariat and administrative structure is likely to result in a significant reduction in affiliation fees.
On the golf calendar, the Board committed to provide an enabling environment for golf clubs as they conclude remaining events on the various golf calendars by engaging involved stakeholders, including sponsors.
“This ruling brings clarity. It allows us to move forward as one federation, protect golfers and Clubs and build golf in Kenya without interruption,” noted the Board.
ENDS.
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