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Neddy Chepkurui: Monday to Friday she teaches, weekends she rules the pitch
Neddy Chepkurui, a 27-year-old primary school teacher at Kings Hill Academy in Baringo North during the interview at the Kabarnet ASK Showground on August 24, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Neddy balances motherhood, teaching and refereeing, breaking barriers in Baringo’s male-dominated football scene.
- From scoring goals to calling the shots, her journey inspires girls pursuing football careers in Kenya.
On a warm Sunday afternoon, 27-year-old Neddy Chepkurui from Kabasis village, Baringo Central, stands confidently on the touchline. Dressed in her referee’s kit and holding a flag, she is immersed in what she loves most: officiating a football match.
The fixture between Kapropita FC and Kaptimbor FC at the Kabarnet ASK Showground is one of over 60 matches she has overseen since qualifying as a referee in 2023. A teacher, wife and mother, Neddy has carved a niche for herself in the traditionally male-dominated world of football officiating – a passion that began in her childhood.
“I started loving football when I was just eight,” she recalls with pride.
Neddy Chepkurui, 27, a primary school teacher at Kings Hill Academy in Baringo North officiates a match at ASK showground in Kabarnet on August 24, 2025.
Neddy is one of only two female referees in Baringo Central. “No other woman from my community has joined this field, so support is hard to find,” she explains.
In her community, football is often perceived as a boys’ sport. With few girls playing, she joined the boys during playtime, learning to play as a striker. “I often played as number nine and scored goals for the team,” she says with a smile.
At just 10, she was selected for her primary school football team and helped them reach the district competitions. Her skills blossomed further, leading to provincial-level play while in secondary school.
After high school, and with few opportunities for women’s football, Neddy trained with a local men’s club. Later, while studying at Kigari Teachers’ College in Embu County, she joined the institution’s football team.
In one memorable match against Embu Medical Training College, she scored two goals within 30 minutes. “Their coach asked if I was really a woman,” she laughs. “He was shocked a woman could score so quickly.”
After college, she played for Bartolimo Women FC in Baringo North, helping them win the Woman’s Representative Cup sponsored by MP Florence Jematia. However, the team lacked regular training and only assembled for tournaments. Concerned that her football dream might fade, she pivoted towards refereeing.
In April 2023, she underwent Football Kenya Federation (FKF) training in Kabartonjo, completing theory, practical and physical endurance tests. By August 2023, she had officiated her first FKF league match between Kabarnet Youth and a team from Eldama Ravine. “I remember praying for the 90 minutes to end smoothly,” she says, recalling her nerves.
Since then, she has officiated more than 50 matches at county and sub-county levels and three at the regional level. Yet, being a woman in this field remains challenging. “Some players and fans undermine me just for being a woman. They assume I’m not competent. But I’ve proved myself. Many now believe I’m better than some men,” she says.
Invited from the stands
At a recent grannies’ tournament in Kituro, spectators were surprised when she was invited from the stands to officiate.
Balancing her duties as a wife, mother, deputy head teacher at Kings Hill Academy and referee is not easy, but she manages with careful planning. “I teach Monday to Friday. Matches are mostly at weekends. I do house chores early to prepare.”
Her love for football even enhances her teaching. “Passion for the game helps me teach creative activities more effectively under Competency-Based Education,” she explains.
Neddy also officiates school games from zonal to county level. She credits her husband – also a referee – as her greatest supporter. “Sometimes he watches my matches and later points out mistakes. We laugh and learn together.”
Neddy encourages parents and schools to nurture children’s talents. “I didn’t have that opportunity. I fought my way in by playing with boys. If nurtured earlier, I might be playing for a top Kenyan or even international club,” she says.
Her dream now is to climb the ranks and officiate international football matches.
