SportPesa Kenya has entered 2026 on a strong footing, with its Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Karauri, highlighting a year defined by resilience, legal clarity, and major milestones across Kenyan sport, customer experience and community engagement.
Reflecting on the past year, Karauri noted that SportPesa operated in a challenging operating environment marked by intense competition and rising expectations across the industry. In addition, the company addressed legal disputes that had weighed on the business for several years.
SportPesa secured a decisive victory in the long-running legal case in London involving former shareholder Paul Ndungu. The High Court in London comprehensively dismissed Mr Ndungu’s claims, which alleged that his shareholding in the company had been unlawfully diluted.
The court found no evidence to support the allegations of fraud or conspiracy, vindicating the company’s governance and shareholder processes. Following this judgment, the UK Court issued robust orders enforcing accountability.
The court has ordered Mr Ndungu to pay interim costs totalling approximately £2.15 million (Ksh 370 million) by January 2026. This includes £548,000 to SportPesa Global Holdings Limited and £1,600,000 to the directors, underscoring the vexatious nature of the litigation and bringing the dispute to a definitive financial and legal close.
Closer to home, the company also celebrated the finality of the 2022 Kenya High Court judgment, which addressed the separate issue of the brand. The court affirmed unequivocally the lawful right of Milestone Games Limited to use the SportPesa trademark, dismissing challenges regarding its assignment and legitimacy.
“The separation of these rulings is critical,” Karauri emphasised. “In Kenya, our right to the brand was cemented. In the UK, the integrity of our shareholding structure was vindicated. With these two pillars of legal certainty now in place – and the courts ordering restitution for the baseless claims made against us – we are fully focused on our future.”
Founded in 2014 as Kenya’s first digital betting company, SportPesa has, through its long-term commitment to supporting local, top-tier football via the SportPesa League, continued to play a central role in the growth of Kenyan sport while reinforcing its enduring contribution to grassroots development and the nurturing of local talent across the country.
Looking ahead, Karauri confirmed that SportPesa’s 2026 marketing and sponsorship strategy will deepen this commitment, with over 100 planned events and activations across football, rugby, motorsport, boxing, basketball, and community initiatives throughout the year. Key highlights include the year-round SportPesa League programme, expanded support for rugby through the HSBC SVNS series and Shujaa tournaments, and continued investment in motorsport, including the Safari Rally and a national autocross series. The company will also roll out Tujiamini 3.0, its flagship community engagement initiative, alongside Cheza Dimba grassroots tournaments across multiple counties.
SportPesa is proud to support the Kenya Rugby Union’s historic hosting of the HSBC SVNS series in Nairobi. By sponsoring this event directly through the Union, we are ensuring our athletes compete on a world-class home stage.
This month, SportPesa recorded one of its most notable customer milestones, with KSh 80 million being won by a woman on Aviator. The win attracted national attention and was widely welcomed as a positive signal of growing inclusion and diversity within Kenya’s gaming community.
“As we look to 2026, our focus remains clear,” Karauri added. “We will continue investing in Kenyan sport, strengthening responsible gaming practices, expanding community programmes, and delivering experiences that resonate with our customers and the wider public.”
With legal certainty restored, a robust marketing and sponsorship calendar in place, and renewed momentum across sport and community engagement, SportPesa Kenya says it is well-positioned for continued growth and national impact in the year ahead
More Stories
Smart tips for first-time car buyers in Kenya
Kenya Cane Empowers Suvirio Women’s Group in Voi with Poultry Project
Strong Revenue Growth Marks KRA’s FY 2025/26 H2 Start