FKF suspends three Premier League referees
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 09.05.26. | 17:03
FKF further noted that the affected officials will remain under close monitoring and evaluation by match commissioners, assessors and instructors
The Football Kenya Federation Referees Committee, in conjunction with the Instructors’ Technical Group, has suspended three match officials following a performance review arising from recent FKF Premier League fixtures.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
The decisions were reached during a virtual meeting held on Thursday, 30 April, after the committee assessed match footage, referees’ reports, observations from match commissioners and technical evaluations concerning officiating standards in the top flight.
According to a statement released by the federation, referees Phanuel Omire, Samuel Kuria and Edwin Bobiya were found to have fallen short of the standards expected at the FKF Premier League level.
The committee cited concerns over decision-making, application of the laws of the game, match management, concentration, teamwork and coordination among match officials.
As a result, Omire has been suspended for three match rounds and further demoted to the FKF National Super League pending further technical assessment.
Kuria and Bobiya have each been suspended for two match rounds and similarly demoted to the second-tier league.
The FKF Referees Committee, in conjunction with the Instructors’ Technical Group, has taken disciplinary action against 3 match officials, i.e Phanuel Omire, Samuel Kuria & Edwin Bobiya following a review of recent SportPesa League fixtures.
— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) May 9, 2026
Read more: 🔗https://t.co/jgNY8xjVd5 pic.twitter.com/l5v40I6ofO
FKF further noted that the affected officials will remain under close monitoring and evaluation by match commissioners, assessors and instructors, with future assignments and possible reinstatement to top-flight matches depending on demonstrated improvement and subsequent technical reviews.
The sanctions are understood to stem from the controversial FKF Premier League clash involving Gor Mahia and Bandari, which ended in a barren draw, a match that sparked sharp criticism from Gor Mahia officials over what they termed as inconsistent and unfair officiating.
Led by club chairman Ambrose Rachier, the record league champions openly questioned several refereeing decisions during the encounter, with particular focus placed on a dramatic late penalty incident.
Four minutes from time, Gor Mahia were initially awarded a penalty after Shariff Musa was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box by Joseph Otieno.
However, referee Omire later overturned the decision after consultations with the fourth official, a move that drew immediate protests from the Gor Mahia bench and supporters.