Cricket Kenya plans performance-based contracts for women’s national team players.
Cricket Kenya plans performance-based deals for women players, medical insurance and independent selection panels under wider reforms.
Planned Cricket Kenya contracts will give women’s national team players formal contractual recognition for the first time. The board has approved performance-based deals as part of reforms covering player welfare, selection and grassroots development.
The board announced the decision on Tuesday after approving minutes of its October 23, 2026 meeting. It also resolved to provide medical insurance for both national teams and their technical staff.
The changes follow petitions from the women’s and men’s teams seeking secure payments and bonuses during national duty. The board said those concerns and proposals helped shape its decisions.
Cricket Kenya contracts framework takes shape
Acting Chief Executive Officer Tariq Iqbal will work with the women’s technical bench to develop the contractual framework. He will also consult the Chief Finance Officer to provide for the necessary funding.
Meanwhile, the men’s national team has already signed contracts and received medical cover under the reform programme. Cricket Kenya has also paid six months of arrears inherited from the previous administration.
Vice Chair Pearlyne Omamo said the women’s reforms would encourage girls who hope to pursue professional cricket. She added that the framework would offer talented players a clearer route to top-level competition and recognition.
The measures also reflect priorities Chairman Bhavesh Gohil outlined after his election in April. He pledged to improve financial sustainability, access and competitiveness, alongside transparency and accountability in management.
Independent selection panels and regional development
The board also approved plans for independent selection panels for the women’s senior and Under-19 teams. These would bring their selection structures into line with the men’s national team.
To expand the game’s reach, Cricket Kenya will group counties into four regions. Each region is expected to receive funding and equipment for development programmes.
Counties will also need to identify promising players and strengthen pathways into age-group and national sides. In addition, the board directed that restructuring savings should support player welfare and grassroots cricket.
International fixtures under discussion
Meanwhile, Cricket Kenya is in advanced discussions to secure more competitive international fixtures. A proposed triangular series involving Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates remains among the options under consideration.
The wider reforms aim to strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness against regional opponents, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Nigeria. The regional programme could also widen the talent pool available to national selectors.
