Kenyan referees who have made their mark on the international stage

Kenya’s rich football legacy has been shaped not only by its players but also by referees who have proudly raised the Kenyan flag beyond borders.

These referees, through their exceptional officiating skills, have been selected at various times to oversee football matches at the highest levels of international competition, including the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

From the packed stadiums of Brazil to the vibrant atmosphere of African tournaments, these referees have represented the nation with pride.

Aden Marwa Range

Born on 31st January 1977, Aden Marwa was the first Kenyan football official to be involved in any FIFA competition, featuring in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

He is the most prominent Kenyan referee, having served as an assistant referee in the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Marwa was named as a reserve official for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and served as an assistant referee at the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.

He was included as CAF’s assistant referee in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he served alongside Bakary Gassama of Gambia, Jean-Claude Birumushahu, and Malang Diedhiou, a retired referee from Senegal.

Marwa was set to officiate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but a week before the tournament began, the BBC released an investigation by a Ghanaian journalist implicating Marwa in a bribery scandal.

In 2018, Kenyan Referee, Aden Marwa, was to officiate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but was banned for life after accepting $600 bribe

Marwa was filmed by Ghanaian undercover journalist, Anas Aremeyaw pic.twitter.com/JOvdqWuJpi

— Africa story Live (@AfricaStoryLive) July 21, 2020

He was filmed receiving $600 US dollars (approximately Sh76,937) before a previous game. As a result, he withdrew from the World Cup.

Peter Waweru Kamaku

Peter Waweru is a highly decorated Kenyan referee who holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Computer Science (2006) and a Master of Science in Pure Mathematics (2008), both from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

He obtained a Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics in 2013 from the same institution.

In 2015, Waweru earned a postgraduate diploma in Education Technology from the University of Cape Town.

Kenya’s Dr. Peter Waweru Kamaku officiated the game between Gabon and Comoros at AFCON 2021.

He’s a Lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya.

He holds a PhD in Mathematics. pic.twitter.com/2q5qJB8JAY

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) March 31, 2023

Born on 27th May 1982, Peter became a referee in the Kenyan Premier League in 2013 and was listed as a FIFA referee in 2017.

Waweru began officiating football in Kenya's lower leagues in 2011. In 2013, he joined the Kenyan Premier League, and in 2017, he was listed as a FIFA referee.

He has officiated in various FIFA tournaments, such as the 2019 AFCON U-20 in Egypt, the 2019 U-17 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2021 CHAN finals.

Since 2017, Waweru has officiated several CAF Champions League games, Confederation Cup matches, and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Waweru was selected as one of the referees for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon from 9th January to 6th February 2022, and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Côte d'Ivoire from 13th January to 11th February 2024.

He is a member of the pioneering group of 20 CAF/FIFA Professional Referees formed in 2020.

Gilbert Cheruiyot

Gilbert Cheruiyot is a Kenyan football assistant referee born on 24th July 1984.

He trained as a referee in 2006, beginning his career officiating local village football tournaments. He gradually rose through the ranks to officiate in regional leagues, the National Super League, and eventually, the Football Kenya Federation Premier League matches.

He has been a referee in the Kenyan Premier League since 2008 and a FIFA-listed referee since 2013.

Cheruiyot has served as both a first and second assistant referee in various CAF and FIFA tournaments, such as the 2022, 2024, and 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the 2017 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2019 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

.@Football_Kenya referees Gilbert Cheruiyot 🇰🇪 and Stephen Yiembe 🇰🇪 are running the line at Ebimpe-Abidjan for Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶 vs Guinea 🇬🇳. Omar Arta from Somalia 🇸🇴 is the matchday referee while Tessema Weyesa from Ethiopia 🇪🇹 is the 4th official. #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/LqULjQWCpN

— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) January 28, 2024

Since 2018, Cheruiyot has officiated several CAF Champions League games and was chosen as an assistant referee for the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire, respectively.

Other notable referees

Other notable referees include Anthony Ogwayo, who has made a name for himself by officiating numerous CAF competitions, including the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). His consistent performance in these competitions has earned him a place among the top referees.

Sylvia Mueni, one of Kenya’s top female referees, has also risen through the ranks. She has officiated several international women’s football matches, including the CAF Women’s Champions League and qualifiers for the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON).

The legacy of these match officials serves as a cornerstone for the continued growth and recognition of Kenyan football.