FKF punishes three Premier League referees after dubious calls
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 10.02.26. | 17:21
The exercise forms part of FKF’s broader commitment to maintaining high officiating standards and safeguarding the integrity of the game
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF), through its National Referees Committee, has taken disciplinary action against three match officials after concluding a comprehensive performance review of recent FKF Premier League fixtures.
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In a statement published on its official website, FKF confirmed that centre referees Ms Susan Nyambura and Mr Emmanuel Ochieng, alongside assistant referee Ms Jane Cherono, have been demoted from the FKF Premier League to the National Super League (NSL) for a period of five rounds.
The decision follows a detailed assessment conducted during a virtual meeting of the FKF Instructors Technical Group held on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, where match footage, officials’ reports, and explanations from the affected referees were extensively reviewed.
The exercise forms part of FKF’s broader commitment to maintaining high officiating standards and safeguarding the integrity of the game.
According to the Federation, Ms Nyambura officiated Match No. 155 between KCB FC and Tusker FC, while Mr Ochieng served as the centre referee in Match No. 168 involving Shabana FC and Bandari FC, a fixture in which Ms Cherono was the assistant referee.
Shabana beat Bandari at Gusii from this incident. Penalty or no penalty? 🤔👀 pic.twitter.com/ozP663fV31
— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) February 1, 2026
The trio were found to have made decisions that were deemed match-influencing and below the expected standards of top-flight officiating.
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“As a corrective and developmental measure, the three officials have been demoted to officiate National Super League matches for the next five rounds,” the statement read.
“During this period, they will be closely monitored by match commissioners and instructors, with performance evaluation reports submitted to the Technical Committee to guide decisions on their future Premier League appointments.”
In the same review, the Committee assessed the performances of Mr Lucas Maina in Match No. 167 between Kakamega Homeboyz FC and Mara Sugar FC, Mr Evans Kirimi in Match No. 162 featuring Ulinzi Stars FC against Murang’a Seal FC, and Ms Lucy Juma in Match No. 157 between APS Bomet FC and Shabana FC.
While their decisions were not considered to have directly influenced the outcomes of their respective matches, the Federation noted instances of indecisiveness, lack of authority, and lapses in concentration.
As a result, the three officials have been issued with formal verbal warnings and will remain under close observation in future assignments.
Meanwhile, assistant referee Mr Jackson Opiayo has been reinstated to the FKF Premier League after successfully completing a monitoring period in the National Super League.
FKF reported significant improvement in his positioning, decision-making, and overall officiating standards, paving the way for his return to top-flight action, subject to continued performance evaluation.
The latest decisions underline FKF’s firm stance on accountability and development within match officiating, as the Federation seeks to raise standards and ensure consistency across its competitions.