Gor Mahia Vice Chair Sally Bolo has welcomed the decision by Football Kenya Federation to suspend and demote referees following controversial officiating incidents in recent Kenyan Premier League matches.
The FKF disciplinary action came after mounting criticism over officiating standards, particularly following the heated clash between Gor Mahia FC and Bandari Football Club, where referee Phanuel Omire came under sharp scrutiny for several controversial decisions.
Omire was subsequently suspended for three match rounds and demoted to the FKF National Super League pending further technical assessment, while referees Samuel Kuria and Edwin Bobiya were each suspended for two match rounds.
Reacting to the federation’s decision, Bolo emphasized that Gor Mahia’s concerns were never directed at individuals but were instead focused on protecting the integrity of the game and ensuring fairness in competition.
“Just from church and I have taken note of the FKF communication regarding the suspension and demotion of match officials over concerns related to officiating standards and application of the Laws of the Game,” Bolo stated.
“As football administrators, our responsibility is always to safeguard the integrity, fairness, and credibility of the game. At Gor Mahia FC, our concerns were never personal against any individual official, but rather about protecting the standards of competition and ensuring that every club, player, and fan experiences a fair sporting environment.”
The Gor Mahia vice chair further acknowledged the federation for addressing the matter through the appropriate structures while calling for continued professionalism and accountability within Kenyan football.
“We appreciate institutions responding through the proper processes, and we remain committed to supporting professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement in Kenyan football. The game must always come first,” she added.
Bolo’s remarks are likely to resonate with many stakeholders who have consistently called for higher officiating standards in Kenyan football, especially during the decisive stages of the season where every result carries significant implications in the title race and relegation battle.
The controversy surrounding the Gor Mahia-Bandari match intensified after Omire reversed a penalty decision involving Sharif Musa following consultation with the fourth official. The referee also faced criticism for ending the game in the 92nd minute despite indicating five minutes of stoppage time.
FKF stated that the suspended officials fell short in areas including decision-making, match management, concentration, teamwork, coordination, and proper application of the Laws of the Game.
The federation’s latest move is being viewed as a strong statement aimed at restoring confidence in refereeing standards and reinforcing accountability among match officials in Kenyan football.
