Two more Kenyan match officials have been promoted to join 14 others to bring the total number of FIFA-accredited referees to 16.Centre referee Eric Kinandu and assistant referee Elizabeth Njoroge are the latest additions to Kenya’s growing number of FIFA referees.##NAJAVA_MECA_8609873##In the list released for the year 2025, Kenya has six centre referees, nine assistant referees and one accredited as both a centre referee and a Video Match Official.The full list of FIFA-accredited match officials are:Referee & Video Match officialKamaku PeterRefereeKinandu EricPercy Tau linked with multimillion move to Michael Olunga’s Al DuhailMaina KelvinJuma Lucy AwinoNyagrowa Dickens MimisaElijah Brooke Philip##NAJAVA_MECA_8609894##Wanjuru Josphine WanjikuAssistant RefereeNjoroge ElizabethKaranja Nduta BonfaceNyongesa AdamGor Mahia parts ways with legendary duo as contracts expireMwangi Samwel KuriaYiembe StephenOdhiambo Oliver OmondiCheruiyot Gilbert Kipkoech##NAJAVA_MECA_8609861##Kiles Carolyne ChemtaiNjoroge MaryOnly FIFA-accredited match officials are allowed to officiate international matches for both clubs and country and therefore the 16 individuals may be selected from time to time to officiate matches beyond borders.Match officials are accredited by FIFA through CAF on the recommendation of the host country after they have proven their ability in the local scene.Harambee Stars receive key boost ahead of Kilimanjaro Stars clashThe FIFA certification process is so selective and considers only match officials who have met the stringent standards of excellence, experience and Physical Endurance Tests (PET).Officials wishing to be certified by the world governing football body also undergo rigorous evaluations to assess their decision-making skills, knowledge on the laws of the game, performance especially in high-stakes games and a recommendation from the local referee association.Three Kenyan match officials have already received their first international appointment of the year having been picked to officiate the African Nations Championship (CHAN) set to take place from Saturday 1 February to Friday 28 February in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.##NAJAVA_MECA_8609893##Peter Kamaku, center referee/Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Dickens Mimisa- center referee and Samuel Kuria- assistant referee were selected after attending the pre-tournament training and evaluation course that was held from 4-9 December 2024 in Cairo, Egypt.
