Kenyan Referee Adwera Gwangi Banned for Life After Viral Protest Violence Allegations

In Summary:

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has given a lifetime ban to referee Adwera Gwangi, following claims he was seen attacking protestors during recent violent demonstrations in Nairobi.
The unrest in Nairobi was triggered by public outrage over the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and influencer, while in police custody.
Gwangi insists he is innocent and suggests the ban might be politically motivated due to his stance on the controversial 2025/2026 Finance Bill.

A top football referee in Kenya, Adwera Gwangi, has been banned for life by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) after videos seemed to show him attacking people during recent protests in Nairobi. These protests erupted because a teacher named Albert Ojwang died while he was with the police, causing a lot of anger across the country. The FKF says Gwangi’s actions broke their rules for officials and hurt football’s image. However, Gwangi strongly denies everything, saying he’s innocent and that he might be targeted because of his views on a new tax bill. This whole situation adds to a bigger discussion in Kenya about public protests and police responsibility.

Protests Turn Violent, Referee Allegedly Involved

The FKF has given a lifetime ban to referee Adwera Gwangi, following claims he was seen attacking protestors during recent demonstrations in Nairobi. Photo courtesy.

What began as peaceful demonstrations in Nairobi’s Central Business District to demand justice for Albert Ojwang quickly escalated into chaos.

Reports indicate that armed groups, some on motorbikes, attacked protesters and vandalized shops along Moi Avenue.

Video footage circulated widely on social media purportedly shows Gwangi participating in these acts of aggression.

This unrest highlights the deep public frustration and calls for accountability following Ojwang’s suspicious death.

The Football Kenya Federation’s ethical guidelines for referees emphasize integrity and professional conduct, both on and off the field, stating that officials must “avoid situations or engage in activities or behavior that might oblige them or lead to them contravening the provisions of this Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.”

FKF Takes Swift, Decisive Action

The FKF wasted no time in responding to the allegations.

On June 19, they announced Gwangi’s permanent ban from all federation activities, asserting that his alleged actions violated their ethical standards and brought disrepute to the sport.

In their statement, the FKF underscored their commitment to upholding integrity among their officials, stating that such behavior “falls far short” of expectations.

This swift disciplinary measure reflects the FKF’s stringent stance against any conduct that could damage football’s reputation in Kenya.

The FKF regularly issues disciplinary rulings for various infringements, including referee assault by players, indicating a structured, albeit sometimes swift, approach to maintaining order.

The FKF says Gwangi’s actions broke their rules for officials and hurt football’s image. Photo courtesy.

Gwangi Denies Claims, Cites Political Motive

Adwera Gwangi, however, has vehemently denied the accusations.

In a strong statement on his Facebook page, he questioned the veracity of the video evidence and demanded proof of his involvement, writing, “Why me? I’m being accused falsely. Where is the proof that I was among those goons?”

He suggested that the ban might be politically motivated, linking it to his public support for Calvin Gaucho, head of Bunge la Mwananchi, regarding the contentious 2025/2026 Finance Bill.

Gwangi also expressed disappointment with the Referee Association for not supporting him, lamenting, “You have disappointed me.”

The incident has ignited further debate on issues of protest rights, police accountability, and the broader push for justice in Kenya following Albert Ojwang’s death.

The precise details of the FKF’s appeal process for lifetime bans for referees are not explicitly detailed in publicly available general regulations, though the federation does have a disciplinary committee and an appeals committee for match-related disputes and rule breaches.