Exposing Cricket Kenya: In most countries, a cricket board exists to nurture talent, grow the sport, and protect its integrity. In Kenya, however, the cricket board seems to exist for an entirely different purpose: to make grand announcements, grab headlines, and then shamelessly backtrack while everyone else counts their losses. If there is one thing Cricket Kenya has perfected, it is the art of taking U-turns.
Over the past two years, the board has turned potential breakthroughs into embarrassing fiascos, leaving behind angry investors, betrayed players, and disillusioned fans. From failed leagues to abrupt firings, the story of Kenyan cricket today is less about sport and more about survival in an environment poisoned by mismanagement and opportunism.
The Kenya Blaster League (KBL) Fiasco
In 2024, Cricket Kenya unveiled its grandest plan yet: the Kenya Blaster League (KBL), in partnership with SA Event Worx. It was positioned as a $3.6 million breakthrough for Kenyan cricket, with revenue sharing laid out in formal agreements. According to the deal, SA Event Worx was entitled to either USD 360,000 or 20 percent of gross profits, drawn from sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise.
It was a structured, legitimate deal. Yet weeks later, Cricket Kenya suddenly denied any involvement, claiming the league had never been sanctioned. The denial was not only dishonest but damaging. SA Event Worx had invested heavily, media and sponsors had been brought in, and players had been promised opportunities. The betrayal led SA Event Worx to take legal action, leaving the board’s credibility in tatters.
Hemant Sharma Revealed The Truth
Hemant Sharma, founder of SA Event Worx, broke his silence on the scandal, revealing the murky dealings behind the scenes:
Read More
“We made a formal deal with Cricket Kenya worth USD 360,000, as outlined in the revenue-sharing clause. The contract clearly mentioned sponsorship revenues, ticket sales, and merchandise profits. Everything was documented. Yet, after signing, Cricket Kenya took a U-turn and pretended as if no agreement ever existed.
During negotiations, Manoj Patel, who was then with the board, asked us for personal financial favours to get the league approved. We refused, because we came here to grow the game, not to grease palms. That is when the hostility began. Soon after, the board started shifting blame – first onto Patel, then onto their own staff.
The truth is simple: Cricket Kenya has developed a habit of deceiving investors and partners. They make big promises, sign papers, and then back out, leaving everyone else to suffer the financial and reputational damage.
Read More
Still, as our initial goal and aim, we are fully committed to the upliftment of Cricket Kenya and ready to work with them jointly in case of full transparency and accountability from Cricket Kenya.”
His words cut to the heart of the problem. Cricket Kenya has institutionalized betrayal.
Even as the KBL case wound its way into courtrooms, Cricket Kenya shamelessly repeated the same playbook in 2025. Partnering with AOS Sport Tournaments, they announced the Cricket Kenya T20 League (CKT20), promising a $2 million investment and a five-year plan. Kenyan cricketing legends were honored at the launch, sponsors lined up, and players began training.
But, just like the year before, the board issued an official denial weeks before kickoff, calling the event “unsanctioned.” The cycle repeated with excitement, betrayal, and damage.
Dodda Ganesh: Another Victim of Chaos
The board’s unprofessionalism was not limited to leagues. In August 2024, former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh was appointed as Kenya’s head coach. His stint lasted barely two months before he was unceremoniously dismissed, not through a meeting or even an official notice, but through media reports.
Ganesh reflected on his brief tenure:
“In 2000, when the Karnataka Ranji team toured Kenya, I first met Manoj Patel, who had requested an Indian jersey from me at that time. During my tenure as head coach last year, Manoj Patel, the former secretary of the Kenya Cricket team, recognized me and recalled that moment, which brought back memories.
During my two months with the Kenya national cricket team, my efforts were not limited to coaching alone. I worked closely with the players both on and off the field, ensured their needs were looked after, even arranged snacks at times, and also offered inputs to the groundsmen to prepare quality wickets so that the players could train and perform at their best.
Unfortunately, I was taken aback to learn of my dismissal through social media and newspapers, without any prior intimation. The manner in which it was handled felt unprofessional and disappointing.
I remain convinced that Kenyan cricket has great potential, and with the right vision and support, the players can achieve far greater heights on the international stage. It was my sincere wish to contribute to that growth, but perhaps the management’s priorities lay elsewhere. I only hope that in the future, the game and the players receive the professionalism and backing they truly deserve.”
A Board Addicted to U-turns and Betrayal
From league investors to coaches, players to fans, no one has been spared from the chaos created by Cricket Kenya. The board has mastered the art of promising, denying, and scapegoating, leaving a trail of broken trust in its wake.
What Kenya desperately needs is not another league announcement but a complete overhaul of its cricket administration. Without transparency, accountability, and professionalism, the country risks being remembered not for its cricketing glory in 2003 but for its administrators’ shameless betrayals.
ALSO READ: Can Vinícius Júnior And Kylian Mbappé Play Together?
