However, Kenya’s cricket downfall started from their onwards as their board, Kenya Cricket Association failed to cash on the success. As their country’s government was facing corruption charges, the members of the team were also involved in fixing their
matches.
In 2004, Maurice Odumbe, former Kenyan national team captain, was banned for match fixing by the ICC in 2004 which was followed by strikes from the players. A weak Kenyan side faced an early exit from ICC Intercontinental Cup which is a bid to gain Test
status.
As their country was facing the worst drought ever in history in the end of 2004, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 Cricket Association was facing the worst drought in their cricket history.
Kenya Cricket Association had no international tours; they were being completely isolated by the international cricketing scene. The players continued their strike asking for more money. The board failed to host a single domestic tournament, let alone a
limited overs match.
The year-long dispute between the players and the board left the country cricket in a complete lockdown as a few number of local sponsors decided to opt out. The international sponsors also parted their ways as the country’s cricket dipped further into the
sea.
The cricket opportunities started to dissolve and so did the governing body of Kenya Cricket Association which meant that the international cricket was ceased.
By the end of 2005, ICC intervened to rebuild the once potential stars of international cricket. They reached the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Cup as well as toured http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045.
The following year, Cricket Kenya was recognised as the official cricket board of the country. They started a rebuilding process to reform the country’s failing sport. The team started playing limited overs again. The rebuilding process was not easy, drawing
a series in Zimbabwe and losing all four matches series in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. In 2007, they started winning. They built on the strong bowling attack they possessed.
Yet, a lot was still in the rehabilitation process for the Kenyan cricket. Their batting was faltering as they failed to qualify for the Twenty20 World Cup 2009. The year 2010 was another lacklustre year even though World Cup 2011 is just around the corner.
Therefore, a changed logo or new shirts won’t solve the Kenyan cricketing woes. They need funds. Spending all they have on logos and brands, will not help them. They need to encourage the local sponsors to rake in money for promoting the provincial cricket
clubs in the country. They need to look far and beyond, ahead of Nairobi to nurture the young potential players who are entrenched in schools all over Kenya.
As the women cricket team is preparing for ICC Africa’s Pepsi sponsored qualifying event in Nairobi from 15 December, the girls were provided with new kits and lots of shiny cricket goodies, however they will not be provided with allowances which is their
greatest need.
The men’s team has been quiet for sometime as they have not been facing international competition. They have been touring the African countries, facing an unranked Uganda side. They would soon be facing another series of matches against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Uganda-c3031 and then there
are some domestic matches as well.
The changing logo means a lot of new and exciting things for the country’s cricket but the situation seems half empty. If the players won’t be getting anything for doing their job how could they be expected to perform anything for the country?
In July 2010, the Kenyan players already reached a deadlock against the Board as they failed to reach an agreement for their contracts. The situation got so out of control that Cricket Kenya had to call upon the government to intervene.
Therefore, Cricket Kenya would need to first resolve the many administrative and contractual problems before the players decide to roar away in a strike.
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