Cricket Kenya draft constitution adopted with amendments- Sports CS welcomes adoption of new CK Constitution

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed addresses the media during the Athletics Kenya Trials World U20 Championship at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on July 01, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

A new Cricket Kenya (CK) Constitution has been adopted with amendments during the stakeholders’ validation forum held at a Nairobi hotel on Friday.

This now sets the CK family on the path to elections to usher in a new office.

The validation meeting, which was called by the Cricket Normalisation Committee, followed a rigorous process to draft a new constitution for the troubled Kenya cricket governing body.

Chairperson of the Committee Hon. Lady Justice (Rtd) Joyce Aluoch hailed the occasion as a huge milestone for Cricket lovers and stakeholders in the country.

She said the Committee worked tirelessly to ensure the game returns to normalcy in the local arena.

Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch EBS, CBS (Rtd) Judge making her speech during the on-going Cricket Kenya stakeholders Draft constitution validation forum at Safari Park hotel [Stafford Ondego, Standard].

"We have given it all that we could, passion and attention. I am happy that we have passed it with amendments. There is nothing I wanted more than getting game to the field and away from the boardroom," said Aluoch who was also celebrating her birthday.

 In her opening submission, Aluoch reminded the stakeholders that the draft came after a series of engagements with the cricket world governing body, the International Cricket Council, and extensive engagements with stakeholders since March this year.

Jaxon Indakwa-Deputy commissioner Sports Ministry making his speech during the Cricket Kenya stakeholders Draft constitution validation forum at Safari Park hotel [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

"I could not have asked for a better birthday gift," she said.

Justice Aluoch said they had officially released the document to the stakeholders for their feedback, the response was overwhelming. October 8, 2021 was the final date for feedback.

"We shall take all the amendments seriously because they matter," she said.

Sports CS Amb. (Dr.) Amina Mohamed addressed the forum virtually, she too was excited with the new dawn.

"I formed the Normalization Committee on March 16, 2021 because our players had suffered a lot," said Amb. Amina.

"Today, I'm delighted that the committee was all involved to see cricket gets back to its old glory days," she added.

Amina is now envisioning that the federation will be able to organise and hold CK elections under the new constitution.

"Constitution-making can be demanding, it is a give and take situation, you take a little and give a little for a win-win situation. Now we look at a situation where the government will be able to establish cricket facilities, nurture talents across the country, something that can only be done with a functioning federation," she said.

Amb. Amina added that the Committee composed of Justice Aluoch, Justice (Rtd) Alnashir Visram (Vice-Chair), Mrs. Jane Muigai-Kampuis, Eng. Morris Aluanga and Dr Walter Ongeti have since overseen the return of cricket leagues and competitions.

Members of Normalisation committee, From Left; Justice Alnashir Visram Madam Chair person (RTD) Judge Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch and ICC representative Dr. Tavengwa Mukuhlani during the Cricket kenya constitution stakeholders validation Forum held at Safari Park hotel on October 22, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

"I am happy that the pertinent issues like devolution of the game to the grassroots, gender issues, good governance and dispute resolution mechanism have been tackled. I understand the views were gathered through a participatory process whereby stakeholders met the Committee either physically or virtually, and through receipt of memoranda. I couldn't be happier," she added.

Dr.Tavengwa Mukuhlani, the International Cricket Council (ICC) representative, said that getting Kenya, a sleeping giant back to her glory days was all the world has been waiting for.

"You the stakeholders are the real winners. You have done it for CK and the nation. I am proud of the work that has been put in for this occasion to happen," Mukuhlani said after the Constitution was adopted.

Doubling up as Zimbabwe Cricket chairman,  Mukuhlani had earlier in the day blatantly asked Kenya to put her house in order.

"ICC has for the last time extended the olive branch to Kenya.

"Kenya has a choice to make today, be part of the international game or go into isolation and oblivion," he warned.

He challenged the stakeholders to take advantage of the goodwill the ICC chair has extended to Kenya.

"The world will continue moving on without Kenya. We have done so in the last few years. We hope you can make the right call and join us, the decision is yours entirely," he appealed.

Among the issues of contention in the draft constitution was the inclusion of top tier clubs, involving stakeholders in the running of the game, the role of the Sports Registrar in dispute resolution, the composition of committee members and transition clause among others.

Article 7.13 was also in dispute that Associate members should not have a voting right in order to remain neutral.

Article 8.4 on the composition of the executive body was also in the spotlight where the committee felt that the CEO should be professional, neutral, and should not be elected so that he can be independent and do his job without political influence.