Uncertainty over leading clubs' futures

The futures of Simba Union and Ruaraka, two of Kenya's most prestigious clubs, are in doubt following the defection of most of their leading players to other local sides last month.

Both have become embroiled in the bitter dispute between the Kenya Cricket Association and the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Board. In 2002, the KCA suspended the NPCA in an attempt to consolidate the power of its ruling committee, setting up a rival Nairobi province. Instead of leading to the demise of the NPCA, however, it polarised opposition to the KCA and left the board increasingly isolated.

The board adopted a Canute-like stance, insisting that it represented rank-and-file cricket in Nairobi, and set about trying to run a rival league to that organised for decades by the NPCA. But almost all clubs remained loyal to the NPCA, and the KCA version was virtually stillborn.

Simba Union and Ruaraka, however, have closer ties to the board and supported the KCA league last season, although this was described by one official as "being a total farce" and it is unclear if the league was ever completed. Both clubs are believed to have received financial incentives from the KCA, but although they entered the NPCA league which started last month, both withdrew within days of the first scheduled matches, with Ruaraka admitting they were unable to raise an XI for the first game. Leading players from both clubs immediately announced that they had switched to rivals affiliated to the NPCA.

Ruaraka and Simba Union's decision was condemned by many of those close to the clubs. The feeling seemed to be that while the support of the KCA wasn't wrong, the withdrawal from the league achieved nothing except harm the cricketers and the clubs' futures.

It was rumoured that a third side - Sir Ali - would also pull out as their grounds are also home to the national squad net facilities. But an official of the club said that the view was that is was more important for their cricketers to play the game at the highest level.

Another club - Ngara - also withdrew from the NPCA league after losing many of its better players, but this was purely because of finances, as they were unable to fulfil wage demands. Unlike Simba Union and Ruaraka, Ngara have remained in the NPCA 2nd XI competition.

Simba Union is the home of the KCA Academy, supposedly the centre of excellence for Kenyan cricket, but until recently an under-used and under-funded shell. It, along with Ruaraka, appears to be about to pay a high price for supporting the KCA.