- Ezra Kipruto, a 16-year-old Grade Nine student, has joined 45 other trainees in an FKF-organised refereeing course in Elgeyo Marakwet.
- FKF has said the county’s qualified referee pool will rise to 210 after the current course, still insufficient given that this year’s tournament registration has reached 700 teams.
- The branch has set a target of 300 trained referees by 2028, subsidising training fees to Sh3,500 and fully sponsoring seven disadvantaged trainees, while raising concerns that participating teachers may not translate into support for local leagues.
A 16-year-old Grade Nine student from Kibendo Junior Secondary School is already dreaming of a career on the football pitch after joining 45 other trainees undertaking an intensive refereeing course in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Ezra Kipruto is among 46 aspiring match officials attending the four-day training organised by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Elgeyo Marakwet Branch, with the programme set to conclude tomorrow, Friday. He was identified by FKF Elgeyo Marakwet Branch Vice Chairperson Dominic Otieno, who spotted the youngster’s passion for football on social media and reached out to him to pursue refereeing.
Otieno said Kipruto had impressed him with his enthusiasm and commitment and would initially be deployed to officiate Under-15 matches. “He has started very well, and with continuous training he may eventually become the first referee from the county to wear the prestigious international FIFA badge,” Otieno said. FKF has bought Kipruto a complete referee’s kit and paid for his training, with Otieno saying the youngster’s progress demonstrated the importance of identifying and nurturing young talent in football beyond playing. “He has shown exceptional passion for football,” he said.
The training has brought together participants from across the county, with all but two wards represented. Endo Ward, which has traditionally had a shortage of referees, sent seven participants to the programme, while Sengwer and Chepkorio wards failed to send a single representative. “We regret that Sengwer and Chepkorio wards failed to send a single representative to the programme,” Otieno said.
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Despite the county conducting refereeing courses twice a year, it continues to grapple with a shortage of qualified match officials. Once the current trainees graduate, the number of qualified referees in the county will rise to 210, a figure FKF says remains inadequate for the rapidly expanding grassroots football scene. Otieno cited the previous Gavana wa Raia tournament, which attracted 540 registered teams and forced the branch to bring in referees from neighbouring Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Baringo counties. This year’s registration has already reached 700 teams, meaning the county is likely to again depend on officials from outside.
Otieno appealed to residents to take advantage of future training opportunities and join the refereeing profession. He said the current FKF leadership inherited only six active referees in the county, but the number has since increased significantly, including 10 female officials. He noted that women had historically been reluctant to become referees because of fears of harassment from players and supporters, stressing that refereeing requires mental toughness because officials often have to make difficult decisions while facing pressure from hostile fans and teams.
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The branch has set a target of having at least 300 trained referees by 2028. To achieve the target, FKF has subsidised the training fee to Sh3,500, while seven financially disadvantaged but passionate trainees, including Kipruto, are being fully sponsored by the federation.
The current course has also attracted 17 teachers. Otieno welcomed their participation but flagged concerns over their contribution to community football. “As a result, while we have trained 46 referees, we cannot count on the 17 teachers to handle the local leagues,” he said.
By Kimutai Langat
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