CKT20 League has been disowned by Cricket Kenya,
casting doubt on the tournament’s future.
Cricket Kenya’s Chief Executive Officer,
Ronald Bukusi has declared that the federation has no affiliation with the event.
Bukusi dismissed the tournament, which is backed by Dubai- and
India-based promoters Arena of Sports (AOS), as “non-existent.”
“Cricket Kenya wishes to categorically clarify that it has neither
sanctioned nor approved this alleged tournament,” Bukusi said.
Internal emails seen by the Star reveal that Bukusi even threatened legal
action against AOS if it continues to claim a partnership with the federation.
Cricket Kenya maintains that its initial contract with AOS remains
subject to approval by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Officials argue there is a need for due diligence and question why there is
a rush.
The ICC, as the sport’s global governing body, has sweeping powers to act
against corruption and match-fixing.
“The public is expressly cautioned against associating or engaging in any
way with individuals or entities promoting the non-existent tournament,” Bukusi
warned.
However, the matter has divided the board.
While some members oppose the league until ICC approval is
secured, Chairman Manoj Patel and board member Kennedy Obuya insist it should go ahead.
The standoff has been worsened by Cricket Kenya’s unresolved leadership
row.
Earlier this year, a majority of board members were said to have passed a vote of no
confidence in Patel and now question his legitimacy to represent the
federation.
“For proper housekeeping, please note that a vote of no confidence has
been passed against our parent chair. While you have included him in this
correspondence, he is not in a position to make any representation binding on
Cricket Kenya or the Board at this time. This has been formally communicated to
the ICC, who have acknowledged and respected the position,” Pearlyne Omamo,
Director of Women’s Cricket, told AOS in an email.
Omamo is an advocate in Kenya.
Although the league has been marketed as a bold step for Kenyan cricket,
critics warn that bypassing governance protocols risks damaging the sport’s
integrity and undermining ongoing efforts to rebuild domestically.
Omamo stressed that more transparency is needed.
AOS said it would inject unprecedented resources into Kenyan cricket, starting with USD 300,000 (Sh38 million) for the inaugural season.
According to AOS chairman Chandra
Prakash Panwar, the investment would increase by USD 50,000 annually, totalling
nearly Sh255 million over five years.
But Cricket Kenya insists the issue goes beyond money.
