Kenya Kongonis cricket club has yet again produced the bulk of the players in the national under15 team that will represent the country in the Africa Cricket Association East Africa tournament that starts on Sunday at various grounds in the city.
The clubs has produced six players in the fourteen man squad that was named yesterday at Sir Ali Sport’s club where the team has been conducting their training. Kennedy Owino, a middle order batsman from Kongonis was chosen to captain the side that will face Rwanda in their first match.

Owino, a right handed batsman and bowler, is very cool with his game and has a lot of patience at the crease. Good and confident with his sweep shots and cuts. A useful slow bowler who can deceive with his slow balls he will be useful at the middle of the innings.

Other players from Kongonis are:

David Mumbo – RHB, RAB: He has delivered for Kongonis more than twice in the league with the bat. An aggressive player, he reminds one of a young Thomas Odoyo or Shahid Afridi. Known for his quick scoring, he hits the ball hard and is a master of straight sixes over long and long off. It is hoped that in time he will be able to replace Collins Obuya when worked on with his leg spin. His bowling has the potential to carry Kenya home if he gets it right. David is also a brilliant fielder, his favourite position being in the slips.

Emmanuel Bundi – A right handed bowling all-rounder, he has opened the bowling for Kongonis in the league and will carry the same duties with his pace in this tournament. One of the players who was unlucky not to make the CricketEurope list of the best domestic players last season he also hits the ball hard on the ground and will carry Kenya hopes with the bat. As well as being the strike bowler, he is also regarded as a player who can take over from Alex Obanda with the bat at junior level.

Eugene Maneno - RHB, RAB. Also a useful all rounder whose capabilities were spotted as young as 9. He can bat well if he applies himself and is more than capable of hitting fifties. Has the potential to share the ball with any of the opening bowlers.

Harrison Ambani - RHB, RAB. The other opening bowler in the team. He did wonders for Kongonis in the main league taking more than 16 wickets in the season. Harrison is hard working on the field and likely to give Kenya wickets with his deliveries which are deceptively quick from his shirt stature.

Martin Okoth - RHB, RAB. Martin is in the team as batsman who can hit the ball hard in the middle. Not originally expected to make the final squad, he has worked hard since finding out about this tournament and has been rewarded by earning a place. His inclusion was only a surprise to him but not the selectors – a true testament to what can be achieved when a player sets his mind to achieve a goal.

Other members of the squad are:

Venkatesh Laxman (Arya Vedic): A patient and technical right hand bat, he has proved that he can do wonders in the middle as he takes his time at the crease has a style reminiscent of Ravindu Shah.

Divesh Patel (Arya Vedic) RHB, RAB, and WKT: Vice Captain of the team and another useful batsman who cemented his case with consistent performances in the entire warm up series. Can also do duty behind the stumps.

Quinn Sorajbee (Greensteds – Rift Valley): RHB, RAB. The only player from outside Nairobi to make the team. He will find it had to get a place in the crowded batting order, but a match in the tournament will really boost his confidence with the bat. A very slow bowler that might get wickets against batsmen who will tend to go for a kill in his spells. With the new development programs under way in the Rift, he is hopefully the first of many who will be selected from the region in future years.

Keval Patel (Nairobi Gymkhana): RHB.RAB. A brilliant off spinner who gets plenty of assistance from his height, Keval carries Kenya’s hopes in the spin department and is also a capable middle order batsman.

Naveed Najmi (Aga Khan): RHB, RAB, WKT: Has gained experience and confidence with the bat playing for Aga Khan in the top level, Najmi is likely to get runs at the middle order as well as keeping wicket.

Irfan Karim (Nairobi Jafferys): LHB, LAB: One of only two left hander’s in the squad, Irfan is the son of former national captain, Aasif Karim, though he claims a place in his own right. Another batsman who will do the work for the team in the middle of the innings, he is capable of getting a big score when he settles as he is so straight with the bat. Like his father, he is also a useful spinner.

Mohit Mediaratta (Peponi School): RHB, RAB: Gets his exposure at this level following good performances in the schools league. Likely to open when given a chance in the starting line up.

Nikit Shah (Premier Club): LHB, LAB: The second left hander in the side, Shah is a useful spinner of the ball and will add value to the Kenyan attack during the middle overs when in the field.


Owino, Maneno and Bundi are the only players left over from last year’s tournament, also held in Nairobi. This is a strong Kenyan line up and they will be expected to come through with the goods on home soil. With plenty of preparation under their belts and an easy first up encounter with Rwanda on Sunday, there is no reason why they cannot win the tournament and qualify for the Continental finals in South Africa.

Match Schedule:
December 9th:
Kenya vs. Rwanda at Sir Ali Muslim Club
Tanzania vs. Uganda at Parklands Sports Club.

December 10th:
Uganda vs. Rwanda at Peponi School
Tanzania vs. Kenya at Sir Ali Muslim Club.

December 11th:
Kenya vs. Uganda at Parklands Sports Club
Tanzania vs. Rwanda at Peponi School.