FKF hails Josephine Wanjiku’s FIFA U-17 women’s World Cup appointment
By Faith Lagat, August 1, 2025The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has celebrated the appointment of top Kenyan referee Josephine Wanjiku to officiate at the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup set for Morocco from October 17 to November 8, 2025.
The announcement, made via FKF’s official X handle on August 1, 2025, read, “Congratulations to Josephine Wanjiku on her #FIFAU17WomenWorldCup assignment!”
Wanjiku’s selection is a major boost for Kenyan officiating and affirms her steady rise through the ranks. She joins a panel of 54 match officials, 18 referees, and 36 assistant referees drawn from 36 FIFA Member Associations.
Her inclusion also reflects Africa’s increasing visibility on the global football stage, with five other African officials joining her, including Yacine Samassa (Mauritania), Yara Atef (Egypt), Alice Umutesi (Rwanda), Fides Bangurambona (Burundi), and Tabara Mbodji (Senegal).
Trailblazing path in Kenyan football
Josephine Wanjiku made her FKF Premier League debut in 2021 and has since become one of only two Kenyan women holding FIFA accreditation as a centre referee, alongside Lucy Awino. Her steady growth has seen her represent Kenya at the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, CECAFA competitions, and most recently at the high-stakes FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa in March 2025, where Nigeria’s Flamingos triumphed 5-1 on aggregate.
Earlier this year, FKF also celebrated her selection to officiate at the 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to run from July 5 to 26 in Morocco. The continental tournament will feature matches across six venues in five cities, bringing together elite African talent and showcasing top-tier referees like Wanjiku, Uganda’s Shamirah Nabadda, and Rwanda’s Aline Umutoni.
A win for women in African officiating
Wanjiku’s elevation comes at a time when female referees are still under-represented globally, with FIFA data from 2022 showing women make up only 8% of all accredited referees. Her role in back-to-back high-profile tournaments signals progress and FKF’s growing investment in gender inclusivity and referee development.
The federation’s commitment was further underscored by the Ksh1.12 billion sponsorship deal signed on July 31, which is expected to enhance capacity-building and technical training across all levels.
As the countdown to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup begins, Wanjiku’s assignment not only elevates her profile but also represents a victory for Kenyan football—one that reflects growing confidence in local talent to deliver on the world’s biggest stages.