REMARKS BY AMB. (DR.) AMINA MOHAMED, EGH, CAV CABINET SECRETARY FOR SPORTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE DURING OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF CRICKET KENYA NORMALIZATION COMMITTEE VIA ZOOM MEETING ON MONDAY 29TH MARCH 2021 AT 9.00 AM.
- Hon. Simon Kachapin, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage
- Mr. Joe Okudo Principal Secretary, State Department of Sports
- Hon. Lady Justice (Rtd.) Joyce Aluoch – Chairperson, Cricket Normalization Committee;
- Hon. Justice (Rtd.) Alnashir Visram
- Distinguished Committee Members
- Members of the Secretariat.
It gives me great pleasure to preside over the official launch of the Cricket Kenya Normalization Committee which I appointed to address the governance issues with Cricket Kenya.
As you will all recall in the late 1990s and early 2000s Kenya National cricket team was a force to reckon with in the world of cricket. In 1995 they won a four-nation one-day international tournament that included Canada, Netherlands and UAE to qualify for the world cup.
At the World Cup, the team staged an exemplary performance by beating perennial giants West Indies by73 runs. In 2001, Kenya shocked the world once again by beating giants West Indies by 90 runs.
In 2003 when Kenya hosted some matches of the 2003 cricket world cup they beat perennial giants, Sri Lanka, by 53 runs in a match played at the Nairobi gymkhana club. There were also wins over Canada, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh. Household names at that time included Steve Tikolo, Kennedy Obuya, Martin Suji and Maurice Odumbe.
Despite the successes attained above, governance and management problems and wrangles set in and the Kenya national team has not been able to qualify for the World Cup in the past three editions of the ICC World Cup. This indeed a sharp decline and Contrast of our old self.
Cricket Kenya has not had steady officials since 2018. There have been in and out of court disputes, all revolving around governance and management of the Sport. This has led to a sharp decline in the activities of cricket, thus affecting the growth and development of talents, and livelihoods derived from the Sport.
Cricket Kenya has lost substantial financial assistance from the International Cricket Council and other partners in terms of annual and development grants as a result of the persistent leadership problem in the federation.
The federation activities have stalled, bank accounts were frozen and thus hampered payment of staff salaries for the last 12 months. The National team players, age-group teams and technical officials have all suffered various losses as a result of this scenario.
The Federation remains without duly elected officials and their offices closed thus affecting the development and growth of the Sport Countrywide. Young talents are missing out on their livelihoods as they have been denied the opportunity to thrive. Federation staff have not been paid since May 2020.
Cricket Kenya Operations and Programs have stalled as a result of this situation.
The International Cricket Council sort my intervention in the matter because Cricket Kenya was on the verge of suspension from membership of the International Federation. Following consultations, we established this Normalization Committee
Ladies and Gentlemen
I have bestowed upon you the ominous task of putting in place structures and systems that will restore Kenya’s place and pride as a Cricket powerhouse in the world. Your tasks are well cut out in your terms of reference and the work plan. Time is of the essence and therefore, you will be required to put your best foot forward to achieve the desired results.
I have full confidence in this Committee which is composed of distinguished ladies and gentlemen to deliver this task.
The Ministry will support you fully to ensure you achieve your objectives within set timelines.
I wish you every success in this task and do hope you can bring back the smile on the faces of the Cricket fraternity in Kenya.
It is now my pleasure to declare this committee officially launched.
Asante Sana