Cricket Kenya disowns CK T20 League amid Board fallout & sponsor concerns

The much-anticipated CK T20 League has been officially disowned by Cricket Kenya, throwing the tournament's future into uncertainty.  

In a decisive statement, Cricket Kenya's Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Bukusi, made it clear that the federation has no affiliation with the league.

 This declaration effectively puts the tournament, which is backed by Dubai and India-based sports promoters Arena of Sports (AOS), in a precarious position.  

Bukusi didn't mince words, calling the tournament "non-existent."  

"Cricket Kenya wishes to categorically clarify that it has neither sanctioned nor approved this alleged tournament," Bukusi stated, further cautioning that any statements made by AOS or Cricket Kenya Board member Kennedy Obuya are misleading.  

Internal emails, reviewed by Citizen Digital, reveal that Bukusi even warned of potential legal action against AOS should they continue to falsely claim a partnership with Cricket Kenya.  

According to Cricket Board, its initial contract between them and AOS is pending approval by International Cricket Council (ICC).

They see no need for a rushed process without due diligence and approval of the Council. 

 “The public is expressly cautioned against associating or engaging in any way, with individuals or entities promoting the non-existent tournament,” Bukusi said.

Board divided, legitimacy in question

It has emerged that the Board is split with eighty percent of the board saying no to the purported league until the due ICC process is completed. 

However, two board members, Board Chairman Manoj Patel and Kennedy Obuya have insisted that the league should proceed. 

The situation has further escalated due to an unresolved leadership dispute within Cricket Kenya. 

Earlier this year, a majority of board members passed a vote of no confidence in Chairman Patel and are now questioning his legitimacy to make executive decisions or 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 acknowleged and respected the position,”Pearlyne Omamo, Director , Women’s Cricket warned AOS in an email. 

While the league has been advertised as a step forward for Kenyan cricket, critics warn that bypassing governance protocols could damage the integrity of the sport and undermine efforts to rebuild cricket domestically.

In the email, Omamo insists that more transparency and formality are needed regarding the tournament.

“As you may be aware, the irregular manner in which previous tournaments were handled by the current chair played a key role in the vote of confidence being passed against him. The board is therefore keen to do better and salvage its reputation,” she stated. 

AOS is promises to inject unprecedented resources into Kenyan cricket, with USD 300,000 (KSh 38 million) earmarked for the inaugural season.

According to AOS chairman Chandra Prakash Panwar, the investment will rise annually by USD 50,000, totalling nearly KSh 255 million over a five-year period.

Sources said that the Cricket Kenya Board has flatly rejected a push by a section of Ministry of Sports officials to endorse the tournament.

On Friday, a meeting at Talanta Plaza ended in disarray with the the majority board members insisting they will not endorse a flawed process.

They also warned against ICC sanctions for government interference in CK activities.