The 2026/27 SportPesa League is finally under way. After the courtroom drama that delayed the start, it was a relief simply to see the ball rolling. Six matches were played across the weekend, two on Saturday and four on Sunday, and the opening round produced 13 goals, four draws and two away wins. No home side managed a victory. Here is how the first round of Kenya's top flight unfolded, and what lies ahead when the remaining fixtures are played on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Saturday: A goalless draw and a narrow away win

The season's first action came at Police Sacco Stadium, where Mathare United and APS Bomet played out a 0-0 draw. It was the only goalless game of the round, and it set a cautious early tone. Both sides take home a point and a clean sheet, a decent foundation for any defence, but both will want more cutting edge in attack as the campaign goes on.

Later on Saturday, at Wang'uru Stadium, Shabana claimed the first away win of the season, beating Posta Rangers 1-0. A single goal separated the sides, and for Shabana it is the kind of result that sets the tone for a season: three points on the road on opening weekend, with a clean sheet to go with them. Posta Rangers, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have lost at home on day one and will need to find a response quickly.

Sunday: Tusker impress, goals elsewhere

Sunday was the busier day, and Tusker made the strongest statement of the weekend. They travelled to Ulinzi Sports Complex and beat Ulinzi Stars 2-0. It was the biggest winning margin of the round, and it came with a clean sheet. Ulinzi will be frustrated to start the season with a home defeat and will need to regroup before their next outing.

At Police Sacco Stadium, Nairobi United and KCB shared four goals in a 2-2 draw. KCB came back twice to end the match in a draw after Nairobi United opened scoring in both halves.

Moi Stadium Embu hosted another 2-2 draw, this time between 3K SACCO and Mara Sugar, in an end-to-end contest where neither side could find a winner. Both sides will take encouragement from their attacking play, though the goals they conceded will be a concern.

Finally, at Awendo Green Stadium, Migori Youth and Kenya Police cancelled each other out 1-1. It was a fair result that leaves both sides with a point and plenty to improve on.

Tusker and Shabana lead the way with three points each, while Ulinzi Stars and Posta Rangers are early pointless.

Tuesday: Mombasa United's moment, and night football returns

The league now turns to Tuesday, October 13, when the remaining fixtures should complete the first round. With 18 clubs in the competition, nine matches make up a full matchweek, and these three bring the total to nine.

The headline fixture for many is Mombasa United against Kakamega Homeboyz at Mbaraki Sports Club, kicking off at 3pm. The newly promoted side begins its top-flight campaign days after the controversy that decided its promotion. A good performance in front of its own fans would help turn the conversation back to football, where it belongs.

At 7pm, Gor Mahia take on Murang'a Seal at the Nyayo National Stadium, and the match is notable for another reason: it marks the return of night fixtures at the venue. Evening football under the lights should bring a fuller, noisier atmosphere, and Gor Mahia will want to make the most of it with a winning start.

Their arch rivals AFC Leopards face Bandari at Police Sacco Stadium on Wednesday at 3pm, so both sides of Kenya's biggest rivalry will be looking to open their campaigns with a statement.

What to watch

Early results can mislead, but the opening round has already offered some talking points. Can Tusker keep up their impressive start? Will home sides begin to turn pressure into points? And how will the heavyweights and the newly promoted side handle the pressure of the first week? Tuesday will start to answer these questions.