Ex-cricketer Obuya tips the sport to make a splash in Kenya

Obuya, who early this year announced his retirement at the age of 42, has been advocating for greater involvement and support for cricket in Kenya.

“One thing that I would like to advise upcoming players is that the sky is the limit. You never know whatever sports that you play can take you or treat you in your career and life in general.”

Obuya has highlighted the sport benefits; both in terms of physical fitness and personal development.

His advocacy likely stems from his own experiences as a cricketer and the positive impact the sport has had on his life.

Through the Obuya Cricket Academy in Parklands, Nairobi, he has been collaborating with his brothers David Obuya and Kennedy Obuya to provide cricket training to more than 250 children every holiday through a special partnership for educational and sports projects with MRM Safal Foundation.

“If you are a good sportsman in the Obuya Cricket Academy, you get a chance to be educated by the Obuya Cricket Academy Foundation courtesy of our partnership with MRM. It’s not a must to be very bright for us to give you a chance, you just have to be dedicated to cricket.”

Obuya's efforts to promote cricket in Kenya could contribute to its popularity and development, potentially leading to more opportunities for Kenyan cricketers on the international stage.

Obuya famously led Kenya to a historic semifinal spot at the 2003 World Cup after playing for Kenya for the past 23 years.

One of Obuya’s standout performances was his record of 13 wickets and a career-best five for 24 against Sri Lanka in the 2003 World Cup, guiding Kenya to the semifinals for the first time.

This achievement led to him being signed by English countryside Warwickshire, making him the first Kenyan cricketer to play for a county team.