Tikolo named Kenya interim coach

Steve Tikolo, the former Kenya allrounder, has been named as Kenya's interim head coach, replacing Robin Brown, who stood down after the side's failure to qualify for the 2014 World Twenty20. Brown had tendered his resignation on Monday, along with team captain Collins Obuya. Rakep Patel will take over the reins of the squad.

David Pamba, a Cricket Kenya administrative officer, explained the new direction the team was headed in. "Obuya has opted to step down as the team captain but will continue to offer his services as a player," Pamba told AFP. "Young batsman Rakep Patel has been named the new captain, as Kenya seeks to rebuild the team for the future."

Tikolo ,who had retired from international cricket following the 2011 World Cup, had been recalled by the national team in October to help them in their pursuit of a berth for the qualifying stage of the World T20. Kenya, however, did not do as well as they would have liked, finishing in 11th place.

Kenya had also failed to secure a spot for the 2015 World Cup when they were beaten by Afghanistan in the World Cricket League, but they do have another chance at qualification during next month's qualifiers in New Zealand, where the final two spots will be determined among the list of contenders.

Tikolo has played 134 ODIs in which he scored 3421 runs and took 94 wickets. In 15 T20Is, he has 345 runs and 12 wickets.