The Kitui County Government has begun training football referees ahead of the inaugural Governor Malombe’s Cup, in a move aimed at promoting professionalism and nurturing sports talent across the county.
The training, launched on Monday, October 13, 2025, is spearheaded by the County Executive Committee Member for Culture, Gender, Youth, ICT, Sports and Social Services, Ms. Phoebe Mutemi. The program seeks to equip referees with modern officiating skills to ensure fairness and integrity in the countywide soccer tournament.
Waziri Phoebe Mutemi said the initiative reflects the county government’s broader commitment to youth empowerment and sports development. “This training is part of our deliberate effort to strengthen sports governance and offer opportunities to young people across all 247 villages,” she said.
The Governor’s Cup, which will feature boys’ and girls’ teams aged between 18 and 25, is set to kick off in November, with the finals scheduled for March next year at the newly constructed Ithookwe Stadium. The tournament will be officiated by Football Kenya Federation (FKF)-certified referees.
The training session was attended by Chief Officer for Youth, Sports and ICT, Mr. Nason Kang’alya, and Assistant Director for Sports, Mr. Charles Wambua, who praised the program as a milestone in building capacity among match officials.
FKF Kitui Chair Gilbert Mutema welcomed the move, terming it a “game-changer” that would ensure professionalism and fairness in local football while unlocking new opportunities for youth across the county.
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