KCA limps on after court delay

The long-awaited showdown between the government and the Kenya Cricket Association failed to happen after a judge at Nairobi's High Court decided there was not enough time to hold the hearing and rescheduled it for March 7.

Last week Milton Makhandia, a High Court judge, ordered Ochillo Ayacko, the sports minister, and the KCA to appear in court at the same time in a bid to resolve the bitter dispute. The minister has been trying to suspend the KCA and replace it with a cross-party "normalisation committee", while the rump of the KCA executive is battling to retain control of what remains of the association.

While the delay might suit the court, it is certain to thrust Kenyan cricket even further into crisis. As long as the KCA remains even nominally in charge, it will not receive any financial support from the ICC, sponsors, or the bulk of the Kenyan cricket community. Almost all coaches have been sent home, and it is understood that the board has no money to meet debts.

Furthermore, the ICC Intercontinental Cup tie against Namibia which is due to take place in Windhoek on February 25 now risks becoming a total farce. Many of Kenya's leading players are on strike, while others haven't even been told they have been picked for the squad and are unlikely to be able to play at such short notice. While central funds are available to get players to and from the game, and also to accommodate them there, there is no money for other expenses or back-up.