Ghai obtains stay of execution

Sharad Ghai: another day, another change of mind © Cricinfo

In a remarkable about-turn, Cricinfo has learned that Sharad Ghai, the ousted chairman of the Kenyan Cricket Association, has obtained a judicial review of the government's suspension of the KCA and the appointment of an interim committee to manage the game. The move means that the KCA has reclaimed control pending the court's decision.

Less than 24 hours after going on record as saying that he would respect the government's decision and hand over office to Ochillo Ayacko, the sports minister, Ghai was in court trying to reassert control. Ghai's recourse to the law mirrors his action in 2002 when the government suspended the KCA. On that occasion he persuaded the court that the move was illegal, and the government backed down.

The court has 21 days to hear the petition, and until then Ghai's KCA hardliners have regained control. "We respect the law, the Ghai team is now legally in office," admitted Isaac Kalua, the chairman of the interim committee. "It's a sad day for cricket but we are consulting and we shall come up with a position in the next few days."

But one leading opponent described today's move as "the last kick of a dying horse", adding that it had been widely expected. Ghai's acceptance on Monday was dismissed as a "smokescreen".

In a separate development, Sammy Obingo, the KCA's general manager, was sacked by Ghai this morning after being accused of passing confidential information to the ICC and, following his appointment to the interim committee last Friday, of no longer being impartial.

Although the interim committee's powers are technically suspended pending the review, Cricinfo has learned that it obtained access to the KCA offices at the Ruaraka Sports Club earlier today. Contrary to reports in some local newspapers, it appears that the offices were locked by outgoing KCA officials in a bid to prevent access to confidential documents and access was obtained after consultation with the police.