Outcry as FKF demotes women referees who passed exams

Kenyan Women referees [Courtesy]

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is on the spot for unprocedurally demoting women referees who passed promotional exams conducted in December 2018.

Results of Physical Endurance Tests (PET) and Theory exams conducted between November 28 and 30 at Kasarani Stadium and FKF’s Goal Project offices, and which are in our possession, show that six female Centre Referees (CR) and 33 female assistant referees (AR) passed and were to be promoted to officiate in the SportPesa Premier League this season.

According to a document signed by CAF/FIFA Instructor, Stephen Okoth, the results listed, among others, Susan Nyambura (CR), Elizabeth Muturi (CR), Eunice Njeri (AR), Jackline Barongo (AR) and Elizabeth Akinyi (AR) as having passed to be promoted to the country’s top league.

But soon after, another list surfaced demoting all of the women refs to the National Super League.

 “The things that happen in this sector can shock you,” a male referee who spoke to The Nairobian in confidence revealed.

Furthermore, The Nairobian has established that another female referee was hand-picked from Division One and promoted out of the blue to become a KPL assistant referee while, another one from Nakuru, who has never officiated a match, was fronted to become a FIFA referee but failed all tests.

“The lady officiated in Division Two for half a season, then found her way to Division One briefly before being promoted to KPL, thereby skipping NSL. This was not procedural,” a refereeing official who sought anonymity told The Nairobian.

But while acknowledging the presence of the two contradicting lists, FKF Referees manager Sylvester Kirwa says the whistle-blowers should not be worried because the ones who qualified to officiate in the KPL will still do so if an opportunity arises.

“Those referees will be placed where they should be in the long run. We’re having a meeting soon to iron out the issue because it has come to our attention too,” he said.