CHAN 2024: All You Need to Know About the 3 Kenyan Referees Selected for the Continental Showpiece

Meet the three Kenyan referees at the 2024 CHAN. (Photo Courtesy)

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Meet the three Kenyan referees at the 2024 CHAN. (Photo Courtesy)

CHAN 2024: All You Need to Know About the 3 Kenyan Referees Selected for the Continental Showpiece

Stephen Awino 16:00 - 18.07.2025

Kenya will be represented by three elite match officials at CHAN 2024, highlighting the country’s growing influence in continental football refereeing.

Kenya will be proudly represented by three top-tier match officials at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to run from August 2 to 30, and co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Their appointment by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) highlights Kenya’s rising stature in African football refereeing.

Pulse Sports takes a detailed look at the three Kenyan officials set to grace the continental showpiece.

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3. Samuel Mwangi – Assistant Referee

Samuel Mwangi will be one of CHAN 2024’s assistant referees.

A respected figure on the sidelines, Mwangi earned his international badge in 2019 and has since built a solid reputation in the Kenyan Premier League and regional competitions.

He is known for his excellent offside judgment and discipline on the line, often praised for his consistency and focus.

Mwangi's selection is a reward for years of quiet excellence and a testament to Kenya's growing bench of qualified assistant referees.

2. Dickens Mimisa – Centre Referee

CHAN 2024 Kenyan Referee  Dickens Mimisa. (Photo Courtesy)
CHAN 2024 Kenyan Referee Dickens Mimisa. (Photo Courtesy)

Recently crowned Kenya’s 2024 Male Referee of the Year, Dickens Mimisa will take center stage as one of CHAN 2024’s central referees.

Mimisa has impressed with his calm control, firm decision-making, and ability to manage high-pressure matches with poise.

He has officiated some of Kenya’s biggest domestic matches, including the Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and Afc Leopards, and has also handled AFCON U20 fixtures.

His rise reflects not just personal dedication, but a broader shift in Kenya’s commitment to nurturing elite referees.

1. Stephen Yiembe – Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

Kenyan referees at CHAN 2024.
Stephen Yiembe was one of the assistants referees in the CAF Champions League final second leg.

Stephen Yiembe, the most seasoned of the trio, will serve as a VAR official at CHAN 2024.

A native of Nakuru, Yiembe began his refereeing career in 2012 and earned his FIFA badge in 2018.

Since then, he’s officiated at top-tier tournaments including AFCON, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the Olympics.

He was the second assistant referee in the CAF Champions League Final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns.

He was also selected for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where he officiated the group match between Real Madrid and Salzburg.

Yiembe’s presence at CHAN is a reflection of Kenya’s ability to produce officials for the very highest level of world football.

As the Kenyan national football team, Harambee Stars prepares to kick off CHAN 2024 against DR Congo on August 2 at Kasarani Stadium, these three officials carry with them the weight of national pride and the promise of world-class officiating on African soil.