FKF move to address referees' payment delays

Speaking during a certification ceremony for 52 newly trained referees from the Coast region, FKF Referees Committee Chairman and National Executive Committee (NEC) member from the Western region, Caleb Amwayi, assured stakeholders that all pending payments owed to referees will be cleared before the upcoming season kicks off.

“We are trying hard to make sure that referees are paid on time,” Amwayi said. “When we came into the new office, we found a huge debt, but I’m thankful that through our president, we are now able to pay. The remaining dues will be cleared before the season starts.”

Amwayi also underscored the federation’s dedication to rooting out poor officiating and match-fixing, revealing that new strategies are in place to ensure fair play and accountability.

“The previous regime delayed payments, yet expected referees to officiate. This contributed to match-fixing. Now, with better pay structures and timely payments, we aim to eliminate such vices. We will be ruthless with any referee who derails our vision for clean sports,” he added.

Mombasa FKF Branch Secretary General, Stephen Mureithi, emphasized the federation’s continuous efforts to empower referees through structured training programs.

He congratulated the 52 referees who received their official certification, noting that it marked a turning point in their officiating careers.

“I’m happy for the 52 referees. They had never received certification before, but now they are fully accredited. They’ve undergone practicals and exams and I’m confident they’ll perform better on the pitch,” said Mureithi.

He also lauded referee Dickens Mimosa for his recent appointment to officiate in the upcoming CHAN tournament, calling it a testament to the growing standards of refereeing in the country.

“He heads the technical referees’ committee in FKF Mombasa. We’ve seen him in CECAFA matches, and we know he’s capable. Though we’ve only sent one referee from Mombasa this time, we expect to send more soon, as several are now FIFA-badged,” Mureithi added.

Mimosa will be joined by Samuel Mwangi and Stephen Yembe, making them the three Kenyan officials selected for CHAN duty.

Mombasa FKF Branch Chairman Alamin Ahmed Abdallah reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to nurturing refereeing talent in the Coast region, highlighting the importance of referees as key stakeholders in football development.

“We want to add value to our football. Referees are critical stakeholders, and I’m happy that this newly certified group will play a big role in growing our game,” he said.