Kenya’s cricket chiefs have dismissed speculation of infighting within the national team’s technical bench, saying all focus is on qualifying for the 2027 World Cup.
Ronald Bukusi, the Chief Executive of Cricket Kenya, said on Thursday there was “no confusion” over the roles of coaches Joseph Angara and Lameck Onyango.
“We have two coaches. It just depends on what they are doing on that particular day,” Mr Bukusi told reporters at the federation’s headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
He described Angara as more outspoken and Onyango as “quiet,” a difference in personality that may give the impression of hierarchy. “Sometimes you might think Angara is the head coach because he’s running the show,” he said. “But they are co-coaches, and the system works well for us.”
In practice, Angara currently holds the title of head coach, with Onyango as his assistant. Both stepped into interim roles in September 2024 after the board overturned the appointment of former Indian international Dodda Ganesh, citing irregularities in the process.
With World Cup qualifiers only weeks away, Mr Bukusi stressed that the national side must concentrate on the challenge ahead. The 2027 tournament will be staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“Right now, our focus is to try and get to Zimbabwe and get to the World Cup,” he said. “We have a great technical team chaired by Mr Tariq, and together we are addressing the issues affecting the team.”
Mr Bukusi cautioned, however, that talent on the pitch was not enough. “We have to be compliant with respect to finance and anti-doping. It’s not something we wake up and achieve overnight—it’s a process,” he said.
Kenya will open their qualification campaign against Namibia on 26 September at Harare Sports Club, followed by matches against Malawi on 28 September at Takashinga Cricket Club, and Nigeria on 30 September.
For Kenyan fans, the dream is to relive the country’s 2003 fairy tale run, when the team stunned the cricketing world by reaching the semi-finals—the best performance by a non-Test-playing nation. This time, officials say, unity and discipline will be as important as the cricket itself.
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