Kenya risks cricket suspension as majority board fights to steady ship

Kenya has been placed on a high watch list by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over governance wrangles, even as the majority board members move to restore stability within Cricket Kenya.

The ICC, the global cricket governing body, is closely monitoring the situation and could take action if the issues are not resolved.

“The ICC position as at now is that Kenya is in breach of their membership criteria,” a government official said, adding that suspension is among the possible outcomes.

An ICC suspension would have significant consequences, including the freezing of international funding and a prohibition from participating in internationally sanctioned cricket tournaments.

In efforts to restore order, the majority board has passed a number of resolutions in recent months.

At a board meeting on Wednesday, members are said to have voted unanimously to express no confidence in Acting Treasurer Kennedy Obuya. Earlier in June, a similar resolution of no confidence was passed against Chairman Manoj Patel.

The meeting was attended by Directors Pearlyne Omamo (Women’s Cricket), Thomas Odoyo (Development), as well as board members Tariq Iqbal, Beryl Oyugi, Mary Maina, and Pauline Njeru. Chief Executive Officer Ronald Bukusi was also present.

Following these developments, the board resolved that certain officials would not be authorized to transact or issue instructions on behalf of Cricket Kenya in respect to bank accounts.

On Sunday last week, a Special General Meeting (SGM) was convened by a section of officials. The majority board later dismissed the meeting and its resolutions, stating it was not properly constituted under the Cricket Kenya Constitution.

The board has since announced that a SGM, whose sole agenda will be the election of the vice chairman, will be held on October 19.

In recent weeks, the majority bloc has increasingly asserted itself in directing Cricket Kenya’s affairs.

Earlier this month, the board also terminated contracts with a Dubai- and India-based sports promotional company, citing governance concerns.

According to the board, the decision was linked to plans for a tournament that had not received ICC approval