DR. Peter Waweru Kamaku, a lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), is the first Kenyan to become a center referee in Egypt after taking charge of the match between Ivory Coast and Namibia in the ongoing AFCON matches.
In the match that made history for him and the country at large, Waweru was assisted by fellow Kenyan Gilbert Cheruiyot and Lesotho's Soura Phatsoanne.
Kamaku is a lecturer who teaches pure and applied mathematics at the institution courtesy of his Ph.D. in the same and is also the university’s sporting director.
As a student, the lecturer played for the JKUAT football team and was also the JKUSO student leader in charge of sports, 2005.
The don admitted to not being the most talented player, but his passion for football was still simmering. To keep abreast with football, in 2009, he joined Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) and undertook a basic refereeing course.
As his refereeing career kicked off, it was obvious that Kamaku was no average referee and he quickly gained the respect of players, managers and fans.
Just like his idol Pierluigi Collina, one of the best if not the best referee in the world, once he blows his whistle and makes a decision, it is final and anyone trying to argue soon realise they are fighting a losing battle.
With three hats on his head; lecturer, referee and JKUAT Director of Sports; juggling class, administrative responsibility and football is a challenge the don explained to JKUAT writers.
“I am glad I can use refereeing to decompress from lecturing and vice versa,” elucidated Kamaku.
He was among the 56 match officials (27 center and 29 assistant referees) picked to officiate at this year's tourney by Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Waweru officiated at the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Niger in February, his major tournament since getting the FIFA badge in 2017.
Speaking Kenyans.co.ke, Stephen Wakhu, the JKUAT Communications Officer, revealed that Kamaku was known for his precision, calmness and justness both in the lecture rooms and on the pitch.
The other FIFA accredited referee who ever made it to the AFCON competition was Aden Marwa who was chosen for the 2017 edition in Gabon but was later handed a life ban by the world football governing body, for allegedly accepting a bribe.
