Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Communications, Media and PR Head Jeff Kinyanjui has explained the decision to stage the 2026 Mozzart Bet Cup final at Kwale Stadium, citing challenges with venue availability in Nairobi and the need to take football closer to fans across the country.
Speaking on TV47 Breakfast hosted by Kaka Zema on Wednesday, June 10, while appearing alongside Mozzart Bet Marketing Manager Frank Ochieng, Kenya Police FC captain David Ochieng, and Tusker FC goalkeeper Brandon Obiero, Kinyanjui said FKF considered several counties before settling on Kwale.
Kinyanjui noted that Nairobi’s major stadiums are currently under heavy use and undergoing preparations ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), making it difficult to host such a major domestic fixture in the capital.
“We considered various counties but finally settled on Kwale. You know Nairobi is struggling with stadiums at the moment, and it is going to be even worse because we are hosting AFCON,” he said.
He explained that facilities such as Kasarani, Ulinzi Sports Complex and the Nyayo Annex have been heavily used, affecting the quality of playing surfaces.
“We have overused the Annex, Ulinzi and Kasarani. The condition of the pitches is not really good at the moment because they are being prepared for AFCON,” Kinyanjui added.
Beyond infrastructure concerns, he said the federation was keen on taking football to supporters outside Nairobi.
“It was a good idea to take football to the people because without fans there is no football. Football belongs to the people, so it is important to take the game to those in other parts of the country,” he said.
Kinyanjui expressed optimism that Kwale Stadium will attract a capacity crowd and hinted that FKF could continue rotating major matches across different regions in future.
“We are hoping the stadium will be full for the Mozzart Bet Cup final. If it were up to me, next season we would take it somewhere else as well because football should reach different parts of the country,” he said.
Mozzart Bet Marketing Manager Frank Ochieng said the sponsors are committed to making the competition a truly national tournament.
“We have invested heavily in organising a competition that brings together the entire country. This is a cup for winners, not just champions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kenya Police FC captain David Ochieng said the law enforcers are fully focused on retaining the trophy.
“Our preparations have been good because we know this is the trophy we can still win this season. The players, technical bench and management have worked hard since reaching the final against Bandari. We have done everything possible in training and we will do everything we can to retain the cup,” he said.
On the Tusker FC side, goalkeeper Brandon Obiero admitted the Brewers are motivated by the desire to end the season with silverware.
“The challenge for us as players is that we have not won a trophy this season. That is the first thing on our minds. When we look at this trophy, it gives us motivation because we want to be remembered in Tusker’s history books. We want people to say the 2026 team brought something home, and that is the pressure driving us,” said Obiero.
The 2026 Mozzart Bet Cup final will pit Tusker FC against Kenya Police FC at Kwale Stadium on Sunday, June 14, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 pm. The winner will pocket KSh3 million and secure Kenya’s slot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The runners-up will receive KSh2 million, while the third and fourth-placed teams will earn KSh1.5 million and KSh1 million respectively. Individual awards will also be up for grabs, with the tournament MVP set to receive KSh200,000, while the top scorer, best midfielder, best defender and best goalkeeper will each take home KSh150,000.
Both finalists booked their places through penalty shootout victories in the semi-finals after goalless draws at Nyayo National Stadium. Kenya Police edged Bandari FC 5-3 on penalties, while Tusker defeated KCB FC 4-3 in a shootout.
Before the final, Bandari FC and KCB FC will clash in the third-place playoff at 11:30 am, with both matches set to be broadcast live on TV47 and Radio47.
Fans attending the event will also be entertained by musicians Chikuzee and Susumila, who are expected to perform during the final-day festivities in Kwale.
