Kenya has once again earned continental recognition after a Kenyan university lecturer was appointed to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), cementing the country’s growing profile in elite football refereeing.
Professor Peter Waweru Kamaku, a senior lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), has been selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a centre referee for the upcoming AFCON tournament. His appointment places him among Africa’s most trusted match officials and marks another major milestone for Kenyan referees on the continental stage.
Prof Waweru, who holds a PhD in Pure Mathematics, has successfully balanced academia and professional refereeing for years. Away from lecture halls and research work, he has steadily risen through the refereeing ranks to become a FIFA-listed referee, a status reserved for officials deemed fit to handle high-pressure international matches.
At AFCON, Prof Waweru is expected to take charge of a Group stage fixture, with CAF also deploying Kenyan assistant referees Gilbert Cheruiyot and Stephen Yiembe to support him. The trio’s selection underscores the confidence CAF has in Kenyan officiating standards.
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This will not be Prof Waweru’s first taste of top-tier continental football. He has previously officiated at past AFCON tournaments and handled high-profile matches in CAF club competitions, as well as international fixtures under FIFA assignments. His consistency, calm authority and deep understanding of the laws of the game have earned him respect across Africa.
Football stakeholders in Kenya have hailed the appointment as a source of national pride, noting that it highlights the country’s ability to produce officials who can compete at the highest level, even as Kenya prepares to play a bigger role in future AFCON tournaments, including the 2027 edition.
Prof Waweru’s journey stands out as a powerful example of excellence beyond the pitch, proving that it is possible to excel simultaneously in academia and international sport. His presence at AFCON not only elevates Kenya’s profile but also inspires a new generation of referees aspiring to whistle on Africa’s biggest football stage.
