Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has voiced his disappointment over the quality of officiating in Kenyan football following his club MOFA FC’s controversial 1-1 draw with Kabati Youth in the National Super League.
The match, played on Thursday, started positively for the Homa Bay-based side when Kevin Bulimo found the back of the net in the fourth minute. However, the contest soon took a dramatic turn late in the game as several questionable decisions by the referee left players, coaches, and fans frustrated.
In the 83rd minute, Kabati Youth were awarded a contentious penalty after what appeared to be minimal contact inside the box. Despite protests from MOFA players, the referee upheld his decision, and Vincent Oduor converted from the spot to level the score. The decision sparked outrage on the pitch, with players visibly questioning the fairness of the call.
The confusion did not end there. Moments later, the referee issued a second yellow card to Kabati Youth’s Kevin Mwaura but surprisingly did not send the player off, causing further uproar among MOFA players and supporters. The incident left many questioning the referee’s understanding and enforcement of basic football rules.
Olunga, who has been a consistent advocate for professionalism in Kenyan football, could not hide his frustration after the match. He highlighted the inconsistencies in officiating, pointing out that such incidents undermine the integrity of the game and demoralize players who give their all on the pitch.
“Even the two other players in the box were wondering why he didn’t pass the ball while the referee had other ideas,” said Olunga. “Gave a player two yellow cards and never sent him off.”
This episode adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding refereeing standards in local competitions. Clubs, coaches, and fans have increasingly voiced their concerns about the lack of accountability and training among match officials, which continues to tarnish the image of Kenyan football.
