Reprieve for Zoo Kericho, Nakumatt as ruling is postponed

Zoo Kericho and Nakumatt will continue enjoying their top flight status after the Court of Appeal postponed the ruling on their promotion to the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) that was scheduled for Friday to a later date.

The two clubs had been suspended from the ongoing season following a High Court ruling on September 21 that rendered their promotion null and void.

However, the two clubs filed an appeal that was ruled in their favour by a three-judge bench led by Justice Phillip Waki, Justice William Ouko and Justice Minoti Kathurima on October 3.

“This simply means the subsisting interim orders issued in our favour are as a consequence thereof been extended until the ruling is delivered,” Zoo Kericho chairman Ken Ochieng’, told Nation Sport on Friday.

Nakumatt secretary general Albert Wesonga, while reacting to the development, said their focus is solely on winding up the remaining three fixtures.

“We are anxious to see what comes up after the end of the season. Currently, the focus is on finishing the league campaign on a high,” said Wesonga, whose team sits 12th on the log with 36 points, similar to 14th placed Zoo.

The Kericho-based side’s coach Sammy Okoth added: “We didn’t want any further disruption after being reinstated and for the moment, our minds are fixed on recording positive results in our remaining three games.”

Zoo face champions-elect Gor Mahia at Afraha Stadium while Nakumatt visit GOtv Shield winners AFC Leopards on Sunday.