ICC Puts Cricket Kenya on the Edge: Cricket Kenya is walking on thin ice. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has placed the country on a high-risk watch list, citing governance disputes inside Cricket Kenya that continue to spiral out of control. If the wrangles persist, Kenya risks suspension, a move that would freeze international funding and shut the country out of ICC-sanctioned tournaments.
A senior government official has already sounded the alarm, saying, “The ICC position as at now is that Kenya is in breach of their membership criteria,” and warning that suspension looms large.
Sports Digest has been covering Cricket Kenya’s controversies for a long time now. In fact, we were the ones who exposed the reality of Cricket Kenya in front of the world, and that spotlight has played a big role in driving the changes we are now seeing.
Boardroom Drama Reaches Boiling Point
To prevent a full suspension, a majority of Cricket Kenya’s board members have tightened their grip. They accuse a faction of destabilizing the game and have moved decisively against top officials.
In June, Chairman Manoj Patel was stripped of all executive powers. This month, the board turned its guns on Acting Treasurer Kennedy Obuya. At a Wednesday meeting, six directors – Pearlyne Omamo, Thomas Odoyo, Tariq Iqbal, Beryl Oyugi, Mary Maina, and Pauline Njeru – unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in Obuya, with CEO Ronald Bukusi also in attendance.
The resolution accused him of abuse of office, mismanagement of resources, failure to carry out his duties, and tarnishing the sport’s reputation. The board also barred Patel and Obuya from accessing Cricket Kenya’s bank accounts, instructing the secretary to notify the banks immediately.
Ironically, Obuya had supported Patel’s ouster earlier this year but has since teamed up with him in the current standoff. Together, they held what they called a Special General Meeting (SGM) last Sunday, despite the Sports Registrar confirming its postponement. The majority board dismissed it as unconstitutional and declared all its resolutions null and void.
Instead, they have scheduled a legitimate SGM for October 19, with the sole agenda of electing a new Vice Chairman. Sports Registrar Rose Wasike is expected to attend that meeting.
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Kennedy Obuya and Manoj Patel Face Financial Heat
The wrangles have now attracted the attention of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Cricket Kenya chair Manoj Patel and acting treasurer Kennedy Obuya have been summoned to answer questions about the alleged misappropriation of more than Ksh 26 million.
Letters sent to both officials accuse them of “stealing agent C/sec. 283 of the Penal Code and connected offenses relating to the withdrawal and usage of Ksh 26, 758,114/= in the financial year 2024 being property of Cricket Kenya, an associative sports organization registered under the Sports Act and further allegations.”
Obuya has been ordered to appear before investigators on October 2, while Patel will follow a day later. The letters warn that “failure to comply with these summons constitutes an offense liable to prosecution under Section 52(2) of the National Police Service Act No. 11A of 2011.”
Two Camps, Two Competing Agendas
The Patel-Obuya faction insists the current majority board members are illegitimate, claiming their terms expired. They have even gone as far as appointing Walter Trent as a new CEO to replace Ronald Bukusi, while dismissing any communication from the board as null and void.
On the other hand, the majority faction has been cleaning house. Just two weeks ago, they terminated a contract with a Dubai and India-based sports promotion firm, accusing it of breaching governance standards and trying to improperly influence board members through “financial inducements and external pressure.”
ICC Intervention Could Change Everything
The ICC is following developments with growing concern. The world body is expected to send a representative to Nairobi soon to meet Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya. Whether the federation can stabilize before then remains the big question.
For now, players, fans, and administrators alike are left holding their breath. A suspension would not only cut off funding but also shut the doors of international cricket to Kenya, a blow that could cripple the sport for years to come.
