Cricket Kenya has dismissed Chief Executive Officer Ronald Bukusi and removed three appointed directors following an investigation into financial management, governance and constitutional compliance, in a major leadership shake-up at the country’s cricket governing body.
According to a report by Capital FM Africa, the federation’s Board terminated Bukusi’s contract with immediate effect after reviewing findings from its Independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee (IDEC). Former Kenya international Thomas Odoyo, Beryl Oyugi and Mansukh Hirani also lost their Board positions following a separate review of their compliance documentation.
The decisions were taken at Board meetings involving Chairman Bhavesh Gohil, Vice-Chairperson Pearlyne Omamo and Board Members Tariq Iqbal and Sharon Juma. They come amid a broader effort to reorganise the federation’s leadership and address longstanding governance concerns.
Cricket Kenya has appointed Iqbal as Acting CEO while it begins the search for a permanent replacement. The federation has also introduced new banking controls and scheduled an Annual General Meeting (AGM) for December 19 to ratify the Board’s decisions.
Cricket Kenya dismisses Ronald Bukusi following disciplinary findings
Bukusi’s removal follows an IDEC investigation into complaints concerning the federation’s financial controls, management accountability, compliance procedures and proposed affiliation with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK).
The Board’s October 23 resolutions stated: “The board reviewed the report of IDEC, which substantiated allegations against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ronald Bukusi of financial mismanagement, failure to observe appropriate financial controls and governance, and Chapter Six compliance failures in connection with Board appointments and ratifications. It was resolved that the employment contract between Cricket Kenya and Ronald Bukusi be and is hereby terminated with immediate effect.”
Bukusi had served as CEO since late 2024, during a period marked by internal disputes over the federation’s administration and the organisation of domestic cricket.
In 2025, he was suspended by a faction associated with then-Chairman Manoj Patel and the Cricket Kenya Council after opposing a T20 competition organised by AOS Sports.
Bukusi had maintained that the tournament was unauthorised and contravened International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, placing him at odds with sections of the federation’s previous leadership.
The latest decision follows a formal disciplinary process rather than the earlier dispute over the competition.
Disciplinary report raises questions over payments and ICC funding
Further details reported by The Star reveal the extent of the financial-management concerns examined by the disciplinary committee, which was chaired by Zack Oloo and issued its findings on October 20.
The inquiry scrutinised expenditure records, the availability of supporting documents and whether management had provided sufficient explanations for transactions questioned by the ICC.
Among the matters examined was approximately KES 2.13 million (approx. USD 16.4K), recorded as expenditure relating to an AGM. The committee also considered outstanding statutory payment concerns and two payments involving Bukusi and Charity Wambui.
The IDEC report stated: “Invitation dated October 15, 2026 expressly required Mr Bukusi to explain a payment of Sh500,000 to himself and a payment of Sh400,000 to Charity Wambui and provide evidence of approvals.”
The committee found that Bukusi’s response did not adequately account for the transactions or establish a satisfactory record of their authorisation and supporting documentation.
It also examined concerns surrounding approximately USD 80K in ICC funding linked to Cricket Kenya programmes that had reportedly been withheld because of deficiencies in financial reporting and supporting records.
Crucially, the committee distinguished failures in financial accountability from proof of criminal wrongdoing. It said the withheld funding and disputed expenditure did not independently establish fraud or misappropriation.
Explaining the basis of its findings, the committee stated: “The Committee’s finding is based on the evidence presented and the absence of a substantiated rebuttal.”
The disciplinary process included an opportunity for Bukusi to answer the allegations, including at a further hearing on October 19. IDEC recommended disciplinary action but left the decision on the appropriate sanction to the Cricket Kenya Board.
Thomas Odoyo and two other directors lose Board positions
The leadership changes extended beyond the CEO’s office, with three appointed directors deemed ineligible to continue serving because they had not fulfilled the documentation requirements associated with Chapter Six of Kenya’s Constitution.
Those affected were former national team player Thomas Odoyo, Beryl Oyugi and Mansukh Hirani.
In its October 23 resolutions, the Cricket Kenya Board concluded: “Non-compliant appointed board members, namely Thomas Odoyo, Beryl Oyugi and Mansukhala Hirani, had automatically forfeited their respective appointments, and were consequently ineligible to continue serving.”
The Board’s review found that Odoyo and Hirani had submitted some compliance documents on October 14, but the submissions remained incomplete.
Odoyo had not provided a Credit Reference Bureau clearance certificate or a duly signed Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission application form. The documents submitted by both Odoyo and Hirani also lacked the required certification.
The Board additionally considered written responses from all three directors, concluding that they had challenged the compliance process rather than completing the outstanding requirements.
Following their removal, Weldon Cheruiyot Mutai was appointed to replace Hirani, while Sarah Mayaka took Oyugi’s position. A replacement for Odoyo had not yet been identified.
Cricket Kenya tightens banking controls and begins CEO search
Alongside the personnel changes, the Board has moved to centralise authority over the federation’s bank accounts.
Under the revised arrangements, Chairman Gohil and Vice-Chairperson Omamo will serve as the two authorised bank signatories, with transactions requiring their joint signatures.
The pair will also be responsible for issuing instructions to banks and handling documentation relating to Cricket Kenya’s accounts.
Meanwhile, Acting CEO Iqbal will oversee the federation’s administration while a competitive recruitment process takes place.
The Board has directed Gohil to establish and chair a three-member recruitment subcommittee tasked with identifying suitable candidates for the permanent CEO position.
The subcommittee must submit a shortlist within 60 days of the October 23 meeting, after which the Board will consider an appointment.
The restructuring follows Gohil and Omamo’s election as Chairman and Vice-Chairperson in April 2026, when they outlined plans to improve the federation’s credibility, transparency and administrative stability.
Players’ complaints helped trigger Cricket Kenya investigation
The disciplinary proceedings were partly rooted in concerns raised by members of Kenya’s national men’s cricket team.
In a petition submitted on August 29, the players highlighted issues involving financial accountability, delayed payments, player welfare, equipment distribution and team management.
Gohil referred the complaints to IDEC on September 21, setting in motion the inquiry that eventually led to the Board’s October decisions.
The committee also examined Bukusi’s handling of Cricket Kenya’s proposed affiliation with NOCK, including whether the Board had received adequate correspondence and an accurate account of the process.
Although IDEC identified shortcomings in the documentation and explanations provided, it did not conclude that Bukusi had intentionally misrepresented the position.
The committee stated: “Deliberate dishonesty or intentional misrepresentation is not established on the current record.”
That distinction is significant because the investigation’s findings concern management accountability, governance procedures and failures to substantiate certain decisions, rather than an established finding of fraud or deliberate deception.
Cricket Kenya’s December 19 AGM will provide the next formal opportunity to ratify the leadership and governance decisions as the federation moves forward under its interim administration.
