Dr. Peter Waweru Kamaku is more than a referee.
When he’s not officiating matches in CAF tournaments and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), you’ll find him at his fourth floor office at the New Science Complex (NSC) at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) where he works as a Professor of Mathematics.
He is the holder of a Ph. D and Masters in Pure Mathematics, which he received from JKUAT. His Bachelors degree in Mathematics was also undertaken at the same institution.
Kamaku has published research papers on Abstract Algebra, Coding Theory and Number Theory. One might wonder how he finds time to officiate several matches every season.
The college don cut the figure of a man in control as he took charge of Gabon’s opening match at the AFCON 2021 vs Comoros on Monday, January 10. It ended in a 1-0 win for Gabon courtesy of an Aaron Boupendza strike in the 16th minute.
It wasn’t his first time at the rodeo. Kamaku also officiated at the AFCON 2019 held in Egypt, where Kenya’s Harambee Stars exited at the group stage.
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At the time, Kamaku made history as the first Kenyan centre referee to take charge of an Afcon match – a clash between Ivory Coast and Namibia.
With the Stars failing to qualify for the the current edition, officials from Kenya are offering the country some form of representation at the continental football showpiece.
Kenyan referees who were selected to officiate in the 2021 AFCON are Dr. Kamaku and Gilbert Cheruiyot.
Kamaku’s presence at the tournament excited a section of Kenyan football players, fans and pundits who shared their experiences with him.
Ex-Harambee Stars international David Cheche Ochieng cheekily shared a photo of himself being red carded by Kamamu in a clash between Mathare United and AFC Leopards.
Naythan Din Kariuki, a Kenyan recruitment analyst at Oxford University FC in England, referenced Kamaku’s academic credentials joking that anyone who dared call the ref daft would be wrong.
A former student of his also shared that when lectures coincided with World Cup matches, he assigned one student the task of following the scores and keeping the class updated.
Thumbs up dr kamaku you taught me real analysis jkuat
He is also the director of sports in JKUA3. Cool man that one💪
I wish to be linked to him so that he gives me major secret tips for mathematics.. He has really inspired me .
Great man! Reminds me of Prof Omollo Ongati, the Maseno professor of Mathematics who used to play guitar for Benga in Kisumu clubs during the weekends.
This is a hero in his own way, teaches with a passion. 2016 finalists Pure Mathematics was fantastic and interdepartmental matches in JKUAT VOI was fabulous organized well by Dr. Kamaku.