Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have intensified attempts to sell media rights for the country’s top tier league.Already talks have been opened with Radio Africa who are keen to take up the rights.Though details of the discussion are still scanty, Radio Africa are confident they can raise the asking price for the rights which is believed to be in the region of Ksh.400million for a start.The broadcaster is considering raising the money from different sources to support their ambitions and with the new government having shown interest in establishing free internet, they hope to take advantage to sell mobile rights. Expert disagrees with move to restrict AFC Leopards’ streaming serviceAccording to those familiar with the discussions, so far only Radio Africa have expressed interest in the rights but more players could come on board.“So far nothing much has been agreed. The talks are still in the initial stages and both parties are aware of the huge potential available and want to take advantage of it,” said one-person familiar with the move.##NAJAVA_MECA_6978723##This will not be the first time that Radio Africa are showing interest in local football. They have previously been broadcast sponsors of the second tier league the National Super League (NSL) which was shown on Bemba Tv.The federation is looking for a broadcast partner for the top tier league to replace Star Times who terminated a seven-year deal with the federation in 2021.The deal has been signed a year earlier and was worth Ksh.1.1billion. It was to run until 2028.Before Star Times, SuperSport were the official broadcast partners of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL). The latter have also shown interest to return to Kenya according to Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba who has been engaging the company’s top executives.Is Supersport coming back to Kenya? CS Namwamba gives cluesWith no broadcast partners at the moment, clubs are finding their own ingenious ways to exploit the rights but cannot commercialise the same.
