Kenya laid the ghost of their two T20 defeats by Uganda in December when they outclassed their East African neighbours in a thrilling match at Nairobi Gymkhana today.

But proved to be quite a close call as Uganda came within 15 runs of reaching the 187 target set by Kenya.

In the end it was sixes - and the penetrative bowling of Nelson Odhiambo as well as a foolish run out - that did it. Collins Obuya hit seven towering sixes in his 79 not out as Kenya took 24 off their final over.

And, in contast to Kenya, Odhiambo had four wickets in the bag for 25 runs when the visitors, already seven wickets down, faced up to Tony Suji in a bid to score 20 runs off the last six balls. Two wickets fell, only five runs were scored and Uganda lost by 14 runs.

Kenya, who chose to rest Steve Tikolo and Hiren Varaiya, had 41 on the board before David Obuya was caught by Roger Mukasa off off-spinner Davis Arinaitwe, who was captaining Uganda in place of Akbar Baig. Then A;ex Obanda and Collins Obuya drove on the score before Obanda was out fbowled by Ronald Ssemande for 43 on 71.

Captain Morris Ouma took from Obanda and the score had reached 154 before he was stumped by Lawrence Ssematimba off Frank Nsubuga for 39. Rakep Patel joined Collins Obuya, scoring just one as he watched his partner set all about him during their unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 32.

Opener Mukasa got the bit between his teeth and took on the six-hitting for Uganda, striking two in a blistering 66; but wickets began to fall around him.

However, at the 10-over point Uganda were on 94 for 3 with Mukasa still there, 19 runs ahead of where Kenya were at the same stage - but with two more wickets down.

Mukasa departed, the sixth wicket to fall, at 116 in the 14th over; then Raymond Otim and Ssemanda tried to maintain the challenge until Ssemanda was run out by Jimmy Kamande going for a risky second run.

Meanwhile Odhiambo was making inroads while Uganda nonetheless contrived to keep just ahead of the run rate - until that final over. And when Otim fell to an Ouma catch at extra cover off the first ball, Uganda's fate was virtually sealed. Only five more runs were scored as Uganda went down to defeat.

Uganda play their final game of the Kenya T20 Tri-Series against Scotland tomorrow, while Kenya take on Scotland to wrap up the three-nation contest on Thursday.

Kenya: 186 for 3 (CO Obuya 79 not out, A Obanda 43, MA Ouma 39; D Arinaitwe 4-1-12-1)
Uganda: 172 for 9 (RG Mukasa 66, R Otim 24; NM Otieno 4-0-25-4, AO Suji 4-0-25-2).