Kenya Mourns Rose Asiko, Pioneer of Women’s Football Officiating

Kenya is mourning the passing of Mama Rose Asiko Wandera, the country’s first-ever female football referee, who died on Monday at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret after a long illness. She was 84.

Asiko was a true trailblazer, breaking barriers in the 1970s and 80s when football was overwhelmingly male-dominated. Her defining moment came when she made history by officiating the high-voltage clash between Kenyan giants Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, a match that showcased her courage, authority, and love for the game.

Before stepping onto the pitch as a referee, Asiko was a footballer herself, representing the Eldoret Municipal team and testing her skills against some of Kenya’s top-tier players. In 1974, she switched roles from player to match official, embarking on a career that inspired countless women to follow in her footsteps.

Hailing from Aligula village, Likuyani Sub-County in Kakamega County, Asiko’s influence extended far beyond football. She was admired in her community for her strength, resilience, and dedication to empowering women in sports.

Her passing is not just a loss to her family and community but to Kenyan football as a whole. Mama Rose Asiko leaves behind a legacy of courage and inspiration, one that will continue to inspire young women determined to break barriers in football and beyond.