Allrounder Maurice Odumbe has stepped aside as Kenya's captain after six years, the Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) chairman of selectors Asif Padamshi has announced. Padamshi said batsman Steve Tikolo had been promoted to replace the 33-year-old Odumbe and will lead the Kenya team to the Emerging Nations tournament in Namibia next week.

Odumbe, who is included the tour party, said he wanted to spend more time with his wife, who is expecting their first child in May. He said the pressure of the captaincy had led to his poor form for Kenya and he wanted to concentrate more on the game.

Odumbe led Kenya to their first World Cup appearance in 1996 and was named Man of the Match when his side defeated former champions, West Indies, by 73 runs.

But his outspoken comments brought him into conflict with local cricket officials and he was replaced as captain in 1997, but returned to lead the side again two years later.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd