HAS KENYA STOPPED PLAYING CRICKET?

The African country Kenya has not at all stopped playing cricket. In fact, it is one of the associate members of International Cricket Council (ICC). Cricket is the second most popular sport in Kenya. Yet one cannot deny this fact that the National Cricket Team of Kenya presently plays very less cricket and has gradually been on the verge of perishing.

Gymkhana Club Ground in Nairobi is the major and largest cricket stadium in Kenya

At one point of time, Kenya was one of the strongest of associate nations of ICC and upset many good teams by their quality cricket.They even qualified for semi-finals in 2003 WC. Steve Tikilo, right handed batsman and medium pace/off spin bowler is regarded as the greatest cricketer in Kenya. He represented Kenya in 135 ODI’s and 15 T20’s. Kenya doesn’t have a test playing nation status. However, It lost ODI and T20I status in 2014, after failing to qualify for the 2015 World Cup and the 2014 World Twenty 20.Currently, Kenya is an associate nation in ICC and mainly plays with emerging teams like Scotland, Afghanistan, Nepal, Hong Kong, Bermuda etc.

Kenya reached semi-finals of ICC 2003 WC where they lost to India at Durban

Certainly, there has been a downfall in cricket in Kenya and the cricket managing authority in Kenya, Kenya Cricket Association (Now replaced by Cricket Kenya) is the one who is responsible for this. Bitter disputes between board and players followed which led to a series of strikes, but more cripplingly, the KCA found itself battling most of the country's stakeholders. By the end of the dispute in 2005, Kenyan cricket was in the doldrums, was sponsorless, and was effectively in international isolation.Later in the year it was removed of ODI status by the ICC.The Kenya Cricket Association had lots of management issues and disputes in itself such asfinancial irregularities and others. The dispute mainly centered around issues such as floundering constitutional review and corruption which had seen the Kenya Cricket Association rack up almost 500,000 dollars of debt, and as well as periodic player disputes over pay that eventually saw the KCA lose all credibility within Kenyan cricketing circles as players, administrators and even the Kenya government gradually withdrew all recognition and support of the KCA .

Kenya also beat perrenial giants Sri Lanka by 53 runs in a match played at the Nairobi Gymkhana club

Then, the Government of Kenya founded a new body called ‘Cricket Kenya’ which to avoid the chaos that had been created by the KCA over the management of Cricket in Kenya. Ultimately, with the intervention of a high powered ICC delegation led by Percy Sonn and Peter Chingoka, an agreement on a new elections and a new constitution was agreed upon. The board members that were elected in the subsequent elections then formally wound up the Kenya Cricket Association paving the way for its official replacement by a new organisational body to be known as Cricket Kenya. Tom Tikolo served as the CEO of Cricket Kenya from 2005 to 2009 when he resigned due to cash scandal.

Logo Of Cricket Kenya

Cricket Kenya has since it’s establishment has offered contracts to regional cricketers and has also conducted various leagues within Kenya such as ‘Zonal League’. It also offered contacts to International players to play for Kenya such as Tanmay Mishra and Rakep Patel from India.Cricket Kenyaalso offered contracts to more deserving young, talented players, such as opening batsman Runish Gudhka from Nairobi, the Australian-born all-rounder Duncan Allan, wicketkeeper Irfan Karim, and impressive fast bowlers such as Emmanuel Ringera, Ibrahim Akello, and Dominic Wesonga, who had performed exceedingly well in the regional NPCA and East African league. However, there is no denial from the fact that Cricket Kenya has also faced many disputes related to financial transactions and internal corruption.

Tanmay Mishra from India has played Cricket for Kenya

Currently, Kenya doesn’t play much cricket and many cricket experts including Aasif Karim who was himself an impressive fast bowler and played for Kenya believe that ‘Kenya Cricket is Dead and Buried’. Kenyaplayed their last One Day International on 20th November,2016 in Gymkhana Club Ground against Hong Kong in which they lost the match by 15 runs.Rakep Patel is currently the captain of Kenya National Cricket Team andSteve Tikilo is their Head Coach. Many players in Kenya National Cricket Team are citizens of other country and are playing on contract basis.

Steve Tikilo who is considered as ‘The Greatest Cricketer of Kenya’ is currently the Head Coach of Kenya National Cricket Team

Therefore, one can infer that Lack of Good administration, Corruption, Player strikes, Internal Feuds, Failure to create quality players are the main reasons for the downfall of The Kenya National Cricket Team. Thus, Cricket in Kenya is crawling in the lowly dust and may soon perish if suitable steps are not taken. We hope that once this competitive cricketing nation gets restored to it’s deserving place sooner or later.