Court bars Patel, Obuya from Cricket Kenya affairs ahead of postponed polls

This comes ahead of the postponed elections, set for October 19. 

The decision marks the latest in a series of setbacks against Chairman Manoj Patel and Acting Treasurer Kennedy Obuya, who have been under siege over alleged financial improprieties and governance breaches.

The tribunal’s orders comes barely a week after the two were grilled by detectives over a Sh26.7 million financial scandal and suspected money laundering.

In the orders issued on Friday, Manoj and Obuya were barred from accessing Cricket Kenya offices or interfering with the federation’s assets until the case is heard and determined.

“This Honorable Tribunal hereby issues an order restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, their servants, employees, caretakers, agents, or any other persons acting under their authority or instructions, from in any manner whatsoever interfering with, accessing, or utilising the assets and/or resources of the 8th claimant, Cricket Kenya,” the orders read in part.

The tribunal further restrained the respondents and their agents from issuing instructions to Cricket Kenya’s bankers or staff and from using the organization’s intellectual property, including its letterheads, seals, and logos.

Obuya and Manoj were also barred from making or publishing any public statements claiming to represent or bind Cricket Kenya or its board, as well as from accessing or entering the organization’s office premises.

“...the respondents are specifically restrained from accessing, entering, or otherwise interfering with the 8th Claimant’s operations and office,” the order states.

The latest decision comes amid the six-member majority of the board and CEO, Ronald Bukusi, seeking to protect the federations assets. 

The order effectively reinforces a September 24 resolution by the majority board members, who passed a vote of no confidence in Manoj and Obuya and barred them from transacting or issuing instructions on behalf of Cricket Kenya.

“The Secretary is hereby instructed to communicate the resolutions to the bank and ensure compliance,” the board directed in the September 24 meeting.

Despite that resolution, Manoj and Obuya attempted to install new office bearers, naming Walter Trenk Mukinginyi as acting CEO and have him access the federation’s accounts. 

The group has since issued press statements using the federation’s letterheads—actions now halted by the tribunal’s injunction.

Earlier this week, the duo tried to bring their faction into an official Ministry of Sports meeting which had invited the existing federation officials including the federation’s CEO, Ronald Bukusi, for consultations.

However, the group were asked to leave with Ministry officials reportedly scolding Manoj and Obuya for proceeding with an illegitimate special general meeting on 21 September 2025 despite the same being adjourned by the federation to 19 October 2025. 

Mukinginyi who claims to be the acting CEO of the federation and his axis of 11 alleged new board members appointed by and allied to Manoj and Kennedy have also been locked out of a meeting the existing board led by the CEO Ronald Bukusi were invited to attend with International Cricket Council officials.

In a further blow to Manoj and Obuya’s attempts to gain legitimacy for their alleged new board appointees, a senior government official has confirmed that the ICC and Ministry of Sports will send representatives to the SGM for the election of the Vice Chairperson of the federation scheduled to be held by the existing board led by Bukusi on 19 October 2025.

The representatives are also expected to address the voting delegates, key points being the need for the delegates from the affiliated county associations to regularise their registration status under the Sports Act prior to the Executive Board elections next year as they risk being locked out from participating in the federation's activities.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) last week interrogated Manoj and Obuya over the alleged theft of millions from the federation’s coffers with investigations ongoing.