Tanzania-based broadcast company Azam TV have reached an agreement with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to air live selected 2023-24 Premier League matches starting on Saturday, People Sports can exclusively report.

According to a reliable source, who sought anonymity, the broadcast firm which will officially be unveiled today as the official broadcast partners at a ceremony in Nairobi, and the federation have signed a deal worth Sh140 million to air top-flight matches starting with Saturday’s fixture involving reigning champions Gor Mahia against Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani Stadium.

“Azam and FKF have finally signed a deal worth Sh140m to televise live league matches and the first match in their roaster will see them air the Gor versus Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani. From the figure, roughly Sh 20 million will go to paying taxes,” the source told People Sports, adding: “Other finer details on what the entire deal entails, including how the 18 clubs in the league will benefit, will be made official to the public tomorrow (today).”

The source further confirmed there was still a standoff on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC’s) efforts to supplement Azam by offering Free To Air (FTI) league matches, citing lack of conclusive agreement between the Ministry of Sports and that of Information Communication Technology & Innovation (ICT), despite the league entering match day two.

People Sport tried to reach Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba for comment on the issue, but in vain.
“The two ministries are yet to agree on the deal to let KBC screen the league matches on a free-to-air basis there seem to be no progress as the league enters match day two,” said the source, adding that: “As soon as the two parties reach an agreement then the deal will also be signed and KBC will have the rights for free to air matches.”

On the title sponsors for the league, the source said: “Negotiations are at an advanced stage, the title sponsor will most likely be unveiled before the end of next week, most probably before Friday, talks are very positive, the deal looks 90 percent done, it is just a little work of paperwork remaining before the new sponsors come on board to support the league.”

Azam is the second corporate sponsor to sponsor the federation since they lost seven sponsors following the infamous disbandment by the former Sports Cabinet Secretary that led to world football governing body Fifa suspending the country from all football activities.