Kenya ln referees readying to officiate a match. Photo|Courtesy.
Referee George Mwangi has voiced his frustrations with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), accusing the organization of neglecting referees and leaving them to face financial difficulties.
Speaking out during an interview on a local TV station, Mwangi criticized the federation for its lack of support, contrasting the current situation with the better treatment referees received during the tenure of the Kenya Premier League Limited (KPL Ltd).
Mwangi, a veteran match official, explained that FKF President Nick Mwendwa allegedly told referees to “look for other jobs,” a remark that left many match officials feeling overlooked and devalued.
“I’ve been in football for many years. I started refereeing when Kenya Premier League Limited (KPL Ltd) was in charge, and football was in a good place back then. During that time, we had different sponsors. We received referee kits on time, and payments were prompt. Even though the payments weren’t much, they helped, and things were run professionally,” Mwangi stated.
Mwangi noted that conditions worsened for referees when FKF took over management from KPL Ltd, leading to financial instability for match officials.
“KPL Ltd used to pay immediately after you sent in the match report, before the next game. But ever since they left, I’ve never received any referee kits again. Now I have to look for my kits. I pay for my transport, my food, and even my accommodation. Then I just wait for whatever they’ll send after the game,” he said.
The transition in leadership, according to Mwangi, has created a precarious financial situation for referees, with payments becoming unpredictable and often delayed. Some referees go months without receiving compensation, and when payments do arrive, they are often incomplete.
“You can go for over 15 matches without getting paid, and even when you do, it’s never the full amount. They might pay you for five or ten matches and promise to settle the rest later, but that ‘later’ often never comes,” Mwangi said, highlighting the increasing financial burden placed on referees.
The current football season has only exacerbated the problem. Mwangi disclosed that referees have been told there is no money to pay them, further deepening the crisis. With no financial support or benefits, the morale among referees has plummeted, leaving many feeling that their work is neither appreciated nor supported by the FKF.
“Right now, in the current league, they’ve already told match officials they don’t have money, it’s like they’ve ‘never had money for that,’” Mwangi remarked.He added, “There was even a time the FKF President told referees that being a referee isn’t work and that we should look for other jobs.”
Mwangi’s revelations shed light on the increasingly precarious situation faced by referees in Kenya. Once supported and provided with the necessary resources, referees now grapple with uncertainty and financial hardship.
Mwangi’s admission raises serious concerns about the management of football in Kenya under the current FKF leadership. With referees playing a crucial role in the sport, the lack of support for them could have far-reaching consequences for the future of football in the country.
