FKF sanctions match officials over controversial decisions in Kakamega Homeboyz vs Murang’a Seal clash
According to the federation, Opiayo’s sanction stems from an offside decision made from an incorrect position, which denied the attacking team a legitimate and promising opportunity.
The Football Kenya Federation has issued a ruling on the officiating of the league match between Kakamega Homeboyz and Murang’a Seal, following a detailed review of the contest that ended 1-1 at Bukhungu Stadium.
The federation’s Referees Committee convened on Monday, November 17, 2025, to assess a series of controversial decisions that emerged from the fixture, most notably an incident involving a disputed corner kick awarded to the home side.
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One of the key complaints centred on a moment when a Homeboyz player appeared to lose possession in what should have resulted in a goalkeeper’s ball for Murang’a Seal. Instead, the officials awarded a corner kick to Homeboyz, a decision that sparked confusion and later scrutiny as available footage did not support the call.
After reviewing the match, FKF moved to temporarily remove second assistant referee Jackson Opiayo from FKF Premier League appointments for three rounds, reassigning him to duties in the National Super League.
According to the federation, Opiayo’s sanction stems from an offside decision made from an incorrect position, which denied the attacking team a legitimate and promising opportunity. His performance in the NSL will be closely monitored, and he will be required to present a performance report before being considered for reinstatement to top-flight officiating.
Referee David Serem was issued with an official warning for the corner-kick decision that triggered part of the review. The committee observed that his judgment lacked clear justification and was not supported by input from his assistants. The video footage available did not align with his explanation, which the review panel found unsatisfactory.
First assistant referee Gladys Kamuren also received an official warning over the same incident. Despite being best positioned to determine whether the ball had crossed the line, her signalling and communication were deemed insufficient, contributing to the incorrect final decision on the field.
FKF reiterated its commitment to improving consistency, quality and integrity in refereeing across the SportPesa League and all competitions under its umbrella. The federation emphasised that training, continuous evaluations and corrective interventions remain crucial to raising officiating standards.
The match itself saw early drama, with Potiphar Odhiambo putting Kakamega Homeboyz ahead in the 13th minute. Murang’a Seal responded in the second half, with Paul Ngugi finding the equaliser 20 minutes from time to ensure the sides shared the points.
Despite the on-field action, it is the officiating decisions that have dominated the aftermath, prompting FKF’s latest corrective measures in the push for fair play and professional officiating in Kenyan football.
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