FKF commits to timely referee payments and integrity

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has pledged sweeping reforms in match officiating, with a renewed focus on timely payments, capacity building, and the fight against corruption within the refereeing ranks.

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Speaking during the certification of 52 newly trained referees from the Coast region, FKF Referees Committee Chairman and NEC Member Caleb Amwayi said the federation was prioritizing clearing outstanding dues before the new season kicks off.

“When we assumed office, we inherited a significant debt owed to referees,” Amwayi revealed. “But thanks to the support of our president, we’ve begun settling the arrears. The remaining payments will be cleared before the season begins. Our aim is to ensure referees are paid promptly," he told Citizen Digital.

Amwayi linked previous cases of match-fixing to delayed payments under past regimes and stressed the need for accountability going forward.

“You cannot expect integrity when referees go unpaid for months. The lack of pay contributed directly to match manipulation,” he said. “With new pay structures and strict oversight, we are determined to stamp out poor officiating.

Any official involved in unethical practices will be dealt with decisively.”

The certification event also underscored FKF’s broader efforts to professionalize officiating at the grassroots.

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Mombasa FKF Branch Secretary General Stephen Mureithi hailed the milestone for the 52 referees, who are now fully accredited after undergoing rigorous theoretical and practical assessments.

“For the first time, these referees hold official certification. They’ve been tested, trained, and are now ready to elevate the standards of officiating in our leagues,” said Mureithi.

He also celebrated the selection of referee Dickens Mimosa for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), calling it a reflection of the improving quality of refereeing talent in Kenya.

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“Mimosa has officiated CECAFA matches and now heads our technical referees’ committee in Mombasa. His CHAN appointment is well deserved,” Mureithi said, adding that more referees from the Coast are closing in on international recognition.

Mimosa will be joined by fellow Kenyan officials Samuel Mwangi and Stephen Yembe at CHAN, underlining Kenya’s growing presence on the continental refereeing stage.

FKF Mombasa Branch Chairman Alamin Ahmed Abdallah praised the federation’s commitment to developing referees in the Coast region, calling them a “critical pillar” in football growth.

“Referees are not just whistle-blowers. They are custodians of the game’s integrity. We must invest in their training and welfare if we want to grow our football,” Abdallah said.