Majority board fights to contain wrangles as ICC puts Kenya on watch list

The details emerged as majority board members cracked the whip on their colleagues they accuse of fuelling the turmoil to restore sanity and block a possible suspension.

Citizen Digital has learnt that ICC, the global cricket governing body, is weighing tough measures if the governance wrangles escalate.

“The ICC position as at now is that Kenya is in breach of their membership criteria,” a senior government official revealed, warning that suspension looms large.

If enforced, such a ban would freeze international funding and lock Kenya out of ICC-sanctioned tournaments worldwide.

To salvage the situation, the majority wing of the Cricket Kenya board has tightened its grip, taking decisive action against officials it blames for fuelling instability.

During a Wednesday meeting, six directors unanimously voted no confidence in Acting Treasurer Kennedy Obuya.

The board had previously moved against Chairman Manoj Patel in June, stripping him of all executive authority.

In an ironic twist, Obuya had supported Patel’s ouster but has since joined forces with the embattled Chairman, in the ongoing standoff with the majority faction.

“At a meeting of the Board of Directors of Cricket Kenya held on 24 September 2025…it was unanimously resolved that a vote of no confidence be passed in Kennedy Obuya,” read part of the resolutions.

Those present included Pearlyne Omamo (Director of Women’s Cricket), Thomas Odoyo (Director of Development), as well as board members Tariq Iqbal, Beryl Oyugi, Mary Maina and Pauline Njeru.

Chief Executive Officer Ronald Bukusi also attended. 

The motion cited Obuya for abuse of office, failure to discharge his constitutional duties, mismanagement of resources, and bringing the sport into disrepute.

The board further accused Obuya and Patel of attempting to access Cricket Kenya’s bank accounts against procedure.

“It was further resolved that Manoj Patel and Kennedy Obuya are hereby barred from transacting or issuing instructions on behalf of Cricket Kenya in respect to all bank accounts. The Secretary is hereby instructed to communicate the resolutions to the bank and ensure compliance,” the board directed.

Despite this, Patel and Obuya convened what they called a Special General Meeting last Sunday — even though the Registrar of Sports had confirmed its postponement.

The majority faction dismissed the gathering as unconstitutional and declared its resolutions null and void.

Instead, the board has scheduled a lawful Special General Meeting for October 19, with the sole agenda of electing a new vice Chairman.

This comes as the majority bloc steps up efforts to reassert authority and streamline operations. Just two weeks ago, it terminated contracts with a sports promotion firm based in Dubai and India, citing serious governance violations.

"On 10 September 2025, the board, by majority resolution, terminated its agreement with AOS citing severe reputational damage and grave breaches of governance including attempts to improperly influence Board members through financial inducements and external pressure," CEO Bukusi said.

As the wrangles intensify, Kenya’s cricket community now waits anxiously to see whether the ICC will follow through with its threats — a suspension that could cripple the sport for years to come.