A maiden first-class hundred by Thomas Odoyo has helped Kenya secure a healthy first innings lead after two days of its ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Canada in Nairobi.

Odoyo hit 14 fours and a six in an unbeaten 103 as the home side, responding to the visitor's opening effort of 263, was dismissed for 393 at Gymkhana Club Ground on Saturday.

The 29 year-old all-rounder, who earlier this year was named as the ICC Associate ODI Player of the Year, showed he was equally at home in the longer form of the game as he shepherded Kenya's lower order in impressive fashion.

He added 53 with Jimmy Kamande (17), 49 with Nehemiah Odhiambo (13) and 37 with Peter Ongondo (7) as the last four wickets added 139 runs.

Odoyo, who has been playing first-class cricket for a decade and whose international experience spans four ICC Cricket World Cups - the first of them as a 17 year-old in 1996 - ensured Kenya remained on top despite lion-hearted bowling displays by left-arm seamer Umar Bhatti and off-spinner Qaiser Ali.

Bhatti, who took a hat-trick in the final of the previous ICC Intercontinental Cup against Ireland, collected 5-75, while Qaiser provided his side with a degree of control as he captured 4-61 from 25 overs.

But apart from those two and captain Sunil Dhaniram, who toiled through 33 overs to take 1-87, Canada's other bowlers struggled to make an impression and also failed to provide that control.

And it meant Kenya was able to fight back from a mid-innings wobble that saw it slip from 130-2 to 254-6.

The Kenyans made the early running on the day thanks to a patient 72 from 148 deliveries by opener David Obuya and a more aggressive 83 in just 70 balls from Alex Obanda.

But a fine spell from Qaiser brought Canada right back into the match before Odoyo's heroics tipped the balance back towards the home side.

The ICC Intercontinental Cup has quickly grown in stature and profile since its inception three years ago and now ICC's premier first-class tournament is an integral part of the Associate Members' cricket schedule.

Having previously been designed around a two-group, three-day format, the event has evolved into an eight-team, round-robin and truly global tournament featuring four-day cricket which gives those teams who do not play Test cricket the chance to experience the longer form of the game.

Scotland won the first ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2004, beating Canada in the final, while Ireland has been victorious in both events since then, beating Kenya in the 2005 decider and Canada earlier this year in the 2006/07 event.

The final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2007/08 will take place in November 2008 at a venue yet to be decided.