Cricket Kenya Council Validates Inaugural T20 League As They Send CEO Packing
Cricket Kenya Supreme Council members who met in Nairobi on Wednesday 10,2025 to validate the forthcoming and lucrative Cricket Kenya T20 League that is set for Nairobi from November 7. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO
NAIROBI,KENYA-Cricket Kenya (CK) Supreme Council has given the inaugural and forthcoming CK T20 League to be staged in Nairobi from November 7, 2025 a clean bill of health.
The Council, which met in Nairobi on Wednesday, said the Sh255 Million five year deal league, hatched between CK and Dubai/India based sports promotional outfit AOS Sport, will be key to developing and expanding the sport in the country.
“We are really happy and highly welcome this league.
” We are glad that the government fully backs the tournament. We are also grateful for the sponsors who have come on board with such an amazing offer,” CK Taita Taveta County Representative Michael Riwa told Standard Sports.
“We, as the Counties who are also the backbone of Kenyan cricket, fully supports this league which we believe is a great milestone for the growth and promotion of the sport.”
At the same time, Riwa led the 17 of the 24 CK Counties into calling out CK Chief Executive Officer Ronald Bukusi over his recent remarks which they stated were aimed to misled Kenyans on the forthcoming championship.
The statement, released by Bukusi on September 1,2025 stated : ” The public is expressly cautioned against associating or engaging in any way with individuals or entities promoting non- existent tournament.”
Concerning the above CEO’s public communique, the Council said they have noted it with deep concern, saying that it’s a statement that is meant to disown the lucrative CKT20 League and termed it as ‘unsanctioned.’
“This statement is false, misleading and damaging the reputation of the federation. It undermines the authority of the Board under article 8.4.3 of the Constitution which vets sanctioning of tournaments in the Board and not the CEO,” Riwa explained.
“By this conduct, the CEO has engaged in gross misconduct, insubordination and abuse of office, contrary to articles 8.58 and 11 of the Constitution.
“As representatives of the counties and stakeholders of the game we hereby: Reaffirm our support for the tournament and commit to working with the Government, sponsors and stakeholders to ensure the championship success.
“Recommend to the Chairman and the Board that CEO be removed from the office for gross misconduct in accordance with Article 11 of the Constitution.
“Recommend the appointment of an Acting CEO to oversee the day to day operations of Cricket Kenya and coordinate preparations of the CKT20 League, pending the formal recruitment process.
“Failure by the Executive Board to implement the above resolutions will leave us with no choice but to initiate the process of removing him from the office to save the game of cricket in Kenya,” Riwa highlighted.
The high level meeting was also graced by Kenyan legends who steered the country to the ICC 2003 World Cup and they included Maurice Odumbe, Obuya brothers Collins, David and Kennedy, Alex Obanda, Elijah Otieno, Rajab Ali among others.
“As former players, we also give the tournament a clean bill of health. All players who retired from the sport from 2023 are allowed to take part in the tournament, I’m more than ready to be involved in this Championship in one way or the other,” David stated.
The 2003 legends have so far landed ambassadorial role in the lucrative championship whose auctioning of players for the six franchises will commence next month.
The six franchises namely Nairobi Challengers, Simba Royals, Mombasa Wildebeests, Kisumu Tuskers, Rhino Hitters and the Masai Mara Warriors are expected to to duel it out in the 25 day intense tournament that is set for November.
The showpiece will take the format of the famed Indian Premier League (IPL) to thrill fans and spectators.
AOS Sport Tournament Chairman Chandra Prakash Panwar acknowledged his collaboration with CK in the tournament stating that his mission is to return Kenya to the glorious days by bringing high quality cricket to the country.
“We promise fans a competition that will drive them to the edge of their seats. It will be more than a cricket tournament, it will be platform to display, identify and harness talents,” Panwar highlighted in the colourful launch in Nairobi last month.
UTILITIES
The CKT20 League franchises
1.Nairobi Challengers
2.Simba Royals
3.Mombasa Wildebeests
4.Kisumu Tuskers
5.Rhino Hitters
6.Masai Mara Warriors.
