Sports CS Amina leads football fraternity in mourning departed referee

Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amb. Amina Mohamed has led the Kenyan footballing fraternity in eulogizing the late referee Nicholas Omondi who passed on this week.

The 36-year-old passed on while receiving treatment at a hospital in Kisii after suffering minor internal injuries on the night of December 11, 2021, at Suswa, Narok while en route to Nairobi to officiate the tie between Gor Mahia and Bandari, where he went on to serve as the reserve referee.

The CS termed the whistler a committed soccer enthusiast who had grown through the ranks to become one of the best match officials in the country.

“Mr. Omondi was a promising referee who was focused on improving the quality of soccer in the country. His contribution to soccer and sports in general in the country will forever be remembered by all of us. May his soul Rest In Peace,’’ the CS said.

This was Omondi's first season in the top flight, having had a good speel in the National Super League and getting the nod to officiate in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

A moment of silence was observed during the Kenya Women Premier League games on Tuesday as teams and officials paid homage to Omondi.

Until the time of his untimely demise, apart from being a referee, Omondi was a teacher at Mariwa Primary School in Ndhiwa Sub County.

FKF Caretaker Committee is set to reach out to the family to help give with the burial plans according to one of its members Titus Kasuve.

“I received the news last night and would like to send my condolences to the family,” Kasuve was quoted by Daily Nation.

His brother Jack Ochieng while speaking to Nation, described him as a person who gave his all in a bid to help in the growth of the local game.

"He meant well for Kenyan soccer and sacrificed a lot to help in the development of our sport,” Ochieng said.