Cricket Kenya Elections Tikolo Gohil

Cricket Kenya elections set for April 19, gathered momentum as the Independent Elections Panel (IEP) published a final list of eligible candidates.

At the same time, Kalpesh Solanki was declared ineligible for the exercise, considering he is currently serving a one (1) year suspension effective May 24, 2025.

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However, in a rejoinder, Solanki, through his lawyers, challenged the ruling that his exclusion was unlawful, according to the May 8, 2025 decision that had previously reinstated him after nullifying an earlier board suspension.

Counsel asserted that Solanki’s omission from the candidates' list was illegal, unprocedural, and flawed, as was held by the Sports Disputes Tribunal. Solanki’s counsel further requested that the IEP reinstate his candidacy or put the elections on hold until the High Court proceedings are determined.

Amid controversy, nine candidates have been cleared to vie for the CK elections after review and verification of their nomination documents.

According to the list released by IEP, former international Tom Tikolo will face off with Bhavesh Gohil for the chairperson position. Tikolo is one of Kenya’s most decorated cricketers and a former national team captain who featured prominently during the country’s golden era, including the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final run.

He is set to bring technical insight and institutional memory into a race that stakeholders view as pivotal to restoring credibility within Cricket Kenya. His candidacy comes against a backdrop of prolonged administrative wrangles that have previously seen government intervention.

Meanwhile, while launching his manifesto, Gohil said the organisation has suffered years of disjointed planning and neglect and vowed to bridge the gaps that have prevented the game from reclaiming its global status.

“Good leadership will bring about balance. One needs to be seamless,” he said. He revealed that inclusivity and accountability will anchor his leadership, adding, “I was born by a woman, and it’s always important to consider gender.”

Gohill, who is the Chief Director of Mars Logistics Limited, runs the Gymkhana Cricket Club, which hosts several local tournaments. CK has faced turbulence in recent years amid leadership wrangles.

Pearlyne Omamo is the sole candidate for vice chairperson, while Alfred Njuguna Njoroge and Chidambaran Subramanian will contest the treasurer position.

At the grassroots level, Damian Omonywa and Vidya Chandrasekhar will battle for Director, County Associations, while Charity Wambui and Sarah Kemunto Mayaka face off for Director, Women’s Cricket; both dockets seen as critical in rebuilding structures that have suffered during years of administrative instability. The electoral process is being overseen by a five-member IEP led by Aggrey Chabeda, an electoral official across multiple sports.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya recently reiterating the urgency of conducting elections to stabilise the federation, warning that governance disputes have stalled development pathways, disrupted competitions, and cost the country valuable international opportunities.

With elections now firmly on track following sustained pressure from the government and stakeholders, the outcome is expected to mark a turning point for Cricket Kenya, offering a pathway to rebuild governance structures, revive domestic competitions and reposition the national teams on the stage after years of costly internal wrangles.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has threatened to ban Kenya, among others, for non-compliance with its membership criteria and persistent government wrangles.