Kenya Rugby clubs are split over the length of the 2023-2024 season which was due to start this weekend.
The kick-off has now been pushed to next weekend.
A statement from the Kenya Rugby Union said: "As a result of ongoing consultations and adjustments to the season calendar, the commencement of the Kenya Rugby Union 2023/24 league season has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 2."
"This applies to all levels, including the Kenya Cup, KRU Championship, and KRU Nationwide Leagues. Details of the updated fixtures will be provided in a forthcoming communication.”
The league was due to start on November 25 and conclude on April 27, 2024 with Kenya Cup sides expected to have played 16 matches in the group phase and three in the playoffs for a total of 19 matches.
Sources said the union has gone back to a league format of home and away fixtures and cross-over matches between the two pools, unlike the previous three seasons where the matches were played in a one-off format.
This will call for a lengthy season, which, accodring to sources, has not gone well with the community clubs, who are struggling financially.
The community clubs in the top-tier league include Quins, Nondies, Homeboyz, Kisumu, Nakuru and Mwamba.
However, it is said that the corporate and institutional teams, who have deep pockets, have agreed to the proposed format.
Speaking of Friday, KRU chairman Alexander Mutai said he is hopeful of getting everything sorted out by next weekend.
"The clubs and the union are talking in search of an agreement. I am confident a solution will be found, satisfying all the parties, to allow the competitions to start next weekend," said Mutai.
He added that the union is currently sourcing a sponsor for the Kenya Cup league as well as a broadcast partner to inject revenue into the game.
“We are exploring ways to grow the value of our league, especially from a commercial perspective,” said Mutai.
