Referees watch: FKF drops trio after questionable calls

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has taken disciplinary action against three match officials following a series of controversial decisions that directly influenced outcomes in recent FKF Premier League fixtures.

Center referees Susan Nyambura and Emmanuel Ochieng, alongside assistant referee Jane Cherono, have been demoted after FKF concluded that their errors fell below the expected standard of top-flight officiating.

The decision comes at a time when Kenyan football is already grappling with growing scrutiny over refereeing standards and the broader question of integrity in the domestic game.

Susan Nyambura was sanctioned for an incident during the high-profile KCB FC versus Tusker FC encounter. FKF’s review found that she failed to penalize a foul in the build-up to a goal, an oversight that materially affected the flow and fairness of the match. The missed call drew sharp reactions from players, technical benches, and supporters alike.

In another flashpoint, assistant referee Jane Cherono was found culpable for incorrectly raising the offside flag during the Shabana FC versus Bandari FC fixture.

Her decision led to the disallowing of a legitimate Bandari goal, a moment that proved pivotal in a tightly contested match and intensified debate around the use of assistant referees in decisive moments.

Emmanuel Ochieng’s demotion followed his decision to award Shabana FC a penalty for what FKF later ruled was a non-existent handball in the same match.

The call altered the complexion of the game and compounded frustrations among stakeholders already uneasy with officiating consistency.

The demotions are part of ongoing efforts to enforce accountability and restore confidence in match officiating.

However, the incidents have reignited concerns that recent refereeing controversies point to deeper structural and integrity challenges within Kenyan football, underscoring the urgent need for improved training, assessment, and oversight of match officials across the league.