FKF to Launch CAF A Licence Course as Coaching Standards Tighten

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is set to commence a full CAF A coaching course in late September 2026 as part of efforts to enhance coaching standards in the Kenyan Premier League.

Speaking after a week-long CAF A refresher workshop at the KCB Ruaraka Grounds, FKF Football Development Director Francis Kimanzi highlighted the challenge of selecting participants due to CAF’s strict class size limits. The course can accommodate only 25 coaches to maintain quality and intensity over the six-and-a-half-month programme.

Limited Slots and Selection Criteria

• A total of 25 slots are available, with three reserved for foreign coaches under CAF’s cross-border development initiative.
• Only 22 places remain for Kenyan coaches, despite over 100 applications received.
• Applicants must hold a CAF B Licence and have at least two to three years of active coaching experience.

Mandatory Licensing for Top-Flight Coaches

The FKF is preparing to enforce CAF club licensing regulations that require all head coaches in the FKF Premier League to possess a valid CAF A Licence. The National Executive Committee (NEC) has ratified this policy, but FKF plans to offer a grace period to allow teams and coaches to comply without immediate penalties.

Inclusive Development Across Genders

Kimanzi emphasized that the federation’s coaching education programmes are inclusive, catering to coaches from both the men’s and women’s premier leagues. The recent refresher course aimed to renew existing CAF A diplomas for active top-flight tacticians ahead of the new season.

FKF’s renewed focus on coach education reflects a broader strategy to elevate Kenyan football standards from grassroots levels to the continental stage.