KCA mounts desperate rearguard

The beleaguered Kenyan Cricket Association might have won a 21-day suspension of the government's decision to replace its existing board with an interim committee, but opponents are confident it is unlikely to prevent wholesale changes in the long run.

Sharad Ghai, the KCA's chairman, and his executive were ousted last Friday on the orders of Ochillo Ayacko, Kenya's sports minister, but the KCA went to court on Tuesday and obtained a stay of the suspension pending a judicial process appeal. That angered many who have been trying to get the board ousted, and some even took to the streets of Nairobi yesterday to protest.

Cricinfo has learned that Ghai is growing more isolated by the day and that it appears that only a few hardcore board members remain loyal. Others have resigned or are working with the government as it investigates allegations that millions of dollars have gone missing from within the KCA.

It is believed that investigations centre on the LG Trophy in 1999, where more than two million dollars is unaccounted for, and the ICC Champions Trophy the following year. Both events were hosted by Kenya, and audited accounts have not been produced nor have satisfactory explanations been given for large holes in the accounts relating to television rights, ticket sales and perimeter advertising. In addition, the ICC is thought to be increasingly concerned as to how money it has paid to the KCA has been distributed.

Ghai only became chairman this year, having filled the role of fixtures secretary since 1997, the last time the KCA held elections, but is generally acknowledged to be the driving force behind the board. If allegations of mismanagement are shown to be true then it could prove embarrassing for Jimmy Rayani - he was chairman of the KCA for most of this period and is now a member of the ICC's executive board.

The court's ruling yesterday has briefly halted the operations of the interim committee, but it is thought that when Ayacko returns to Kenya later today the situation will move forward.

The KCA continued to mount a counter-offensive, and yesterday it sacked Sammy Obingo, its general manager, who was only appointed in May. Anil Sarkar, the KCA secretary, told reporters that Obingo could not work for the board and be a member of the interim committee. Cricinfo also learned that Obingo had been accused by the board of passing confidential information to the government and the ICC.

The interim committee did obtain access to the KCA offices at the Ruaraka Sports Club on Monday, although it has since vacated the premises as a result of the court order.

The KCA's sudden burst of activity is in direct contrast to its behaviour in recent months, when it has been almost anonymous. Its league and cup competitions never took place, the board's website has not been updated since July, and media requests have almost all gone unanswered.

In 2002 the KCA executive used the courts to ward off similar action by the government, but this time the pressure on the authorities to act is far greater, while the support for the board is ebbing rapidly.