Court suspends Cricket Kenya elections once again

The Cricket Kenya elections have once again been thrown into limbo after the high court issued a conservatory order stopping the elections until a petition filed before it is heard and determined.

Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news

Cricket stakeholders were hoping for a fresh breath of air away from the woes and wrangles that have engulfed the federation, a desire that will seemingly be postponed.

The Cricket Kenya elections have been marred by numerous cases of postponement due to court orders and boardroom decisions every time elections are nearing, with 2025 experiencing at least three such cases.

The cricket federation was heading for its much-anticipated election on Sunday, 19 April, to elect new officials and comply with the directives of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Madina Okot's first basketball coach shares challenges faced in converting her from volleyball

However, two stakeholders, Juliana Kathure and David Obuya, brother to acting treasurer Kevin Obuya who is eyeing the Vice Chairperson's position, moved to the High Court where they obtained ex parte conservatory orders stopping the elections.

Obuya is associated with the faction led by outgoing chairman Manoj Patel, against whom the cricket board had passed a vote of no confidence, and shared correspondence of their decision to ICC and who is currently pursued by the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over corruption allegations.

“A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the 3rd (Cricket Kenya) and 4th (Ronald Bukusi) respondents or any other persons acting on their behalf from conducting elections for Cricket Kenya as scheduled on 19/4/2026 pending the interparties hearing of the notice of motion,” reads part of the order by High Court Judge, Lady Justice Roselyne Aburili.

In their petition dated Monday, 13 April, Kathure and Obuya had asked the court to stop the elections, and Cricket Kenya CEO Ronald Bukusi from executive functions in relation to the elections, as well as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from conducting the elections.

Lady Justice Aburili agreed to grant the petitioners their pleas, noting that their rights would be disenfranchised should the elections be conducted without hearing their objections to the candidates' list, as it would be nugatory.

Additionally, Aburili gave the Sports Registrar, the Attorney General, Cricket Kenya, Ronald Bukusi, as well as IEBC, all of whom had been listed as respondents, seven days to file their response to the substantive petition and motion, with the case scheduled for mention on Thursday, 30 April.

National Chess champions picked after play-offs at Mang'u High School

The court order now puts Cricket Kenya in jeopardy as Kenya stares at a ban from the ICC, which had called for elections.

The order also comes after the Ministry of Sports, through Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, affirmed to ICC of the leadership at Cricket Kenya and the upcoming elections.

ICC had sought to know the bona fide leadership of the federation as well as the status of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the electoral process.

“Pursuant to the resolutions of the consultative meeting held in October 2025, the Government formally recognizes Mr. Ronald Bukusi as the duly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Kenya. This position is further affirmed by the subsisting contractual obligations between Mr. Bukusi and Cricket Kenya, to which the Government is privy.

This position remains unchanged. Accordingly, Mr. Bukusi is the official Chief Executive Officer and the duly authorized point of contact for all official correspondence and engagements relating to Cricket Kenya. Any parallel claims or correspondence by individuals purporting to act in the capacity of the CEO are not recognized by the Government,” reads the letter by Mvurya on Wednesday, 15 April.

On the status of the upcoming AGM and the electoral process, Mvurya, in his letter to ICC General Manager - Development William Glenwright, assures the world governing cricket body of the Kenyan government's support to the process.

Millions Madina Okot will make following WNBA selection

“The Government continues to recognise and support the process leading to the Cricket Kenya AGM and elections scheduled for 19th April, 2026, as agreed during various engagements with Cricket Kenya and stakeholders.

All stakeholders are expected to adhere strictly to the agreed roadmap and to ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a lawful, transparent and credible manner, in compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.

The Government remains committed to the stabilisation and proper governance of Cricket Kenya and appreciates the continued collaboration with the International Cricket Council,” reads Mvurya’s response.