The Shield tournament will kick off on June 1 with 64 Football Kenya Federation affiliated clubs set to take part in 2018 edition which has been branded, Sportpesa Shield.
Five Kenyan Premier League sides did not enter the tournament. Nakumatt who recently had financial struggles will not take part. For the second time in a row cash-strapped Chemelil Sugar, struggling Thika United, Zoo FC and Mathare United have opted out of the four-month showpiece.
AFC Leopards are the defending champions having won the cup in 2017 after a 2-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani. They got a chance to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The winner of the tournament pockets Ksh 2 Million prize money. The runners-up’s pocket ksh 1 Million with the third-placed and fourth-placed teams taking home ksh 750,000 and ksh 500,000 respectively.