By Omulo Okoth

Reality sank in among cricketers following reports that a former national team player is being investigated by the world’s cricket ruling body, ICC.

Cricket Kenya outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Tom Sears, told reporters at a press conference last week that the former national team player was being investigated for interfering with matches not involving Kenya.

He did not give details, only saying these will come out after the International Cricket Council (ICC) has completed its investigations. He did not even give details of the interference.

“Everything will come to light when the ICC finishes its investigations,” Sears, who will leave Kenya next month to take up a job for Irish rugby, told reporters. He declined to name the player. Also present at the meeting was outgoing national coach, Mike Hesson.

The ICC has also declined to name the player’s name. Colin Gibson, Head of Communications, was quoted by Reuters saying that they don’t comment on ICC matters.

But the cricket fraternity has been gripped by panic following the revelations. This will be the second Kenyan player to fall under ICC radar for allegations of match interference. Former captain Maurice Odumbe was handed a five-year ban in 2004 after bringing the game of cricket to disrepute.

We could not reach Jimmy Kamande who captained Kenya at the last World Cup.

But former deputy captain, Thomas Odoyo, confirmed knowledge of the ICC investigations, although he also declined to name the player.

“I cannot tell you who the player is. We have to wait until ICC completes its investigations. I know a player has been interviewed by ICC,” said Odoyo, who was at the last ICC World Cup in the Indian sub-continent.

Another player David Obuya also declined to give details of the ICC investigations.

“We just have to wait until the investigations are completed,” Obuya said.

Reports from the cricket fraternity was that there is palpable panic among the players and officials.

A former cricket confided that two gentlemen with connection to global cricket are in the country for reasons that are not quite clear.

“Why are these reports emerging when Hesson and Sears are about to leave?” asked a former player. “Might there be a plot to fix us?” he posed.

Hesson has quit his national team job due to security threats on his family. He did not elaborate. But he said he has sent his family back to New Zealand in the wake of those threats.