It is all adding to what is fast becoming a non-stop headache for the ICC which is also facing fierce criticism for staging matches in Zimbabwe, with players from both Australia and England expressing their concerns over security arrangements.
Now New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden says one of its security advisors has reported back claims of potential terrorist activity in and around Nairobi. He claims 'soft targets' such as the cricket matches were vulnerable.
New Zealand is scheduled to player to games in Kenya next month. The ICC say they will meet to discuss the situation further on Thursday this week.
But time is ticking away for the ICC which has seen its showcase tournament clouded in negative headlines, first over sponsorship deals and now over the thorny issue of hosting.
Said Snedden: "Terrorist cells currently active and operating in Nairobi have the means and assets to carry out a terrorist attack.
"I would be fairly confident that the ICC will recognise that there is an unacceptable risk for players and will decide to transfer the games."
Meanwhile, the ICC has issued a statement confirming that it was aware of the safety and security concerns of the England players and that it would continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe in the lead-up to the World Cup.
ICC chief executive, Malcolm Speed (pictured), said that he assumed that calls earlier this week by the Professional Cricketer’s Association (PCA) for the games to be moved would be raised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) at the next teleconference of the ICC Board scheduled for late this week.
“The process is in place for the English players, through their Board to have this issue discussed and debated.
“As recently as last Friday, the ICC Board, including the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), David Morgan, met to consider this issue and no member sought to present any argument to the Board to move the game.
“The ECB will have the opportunity to argue its case later this week during the ICC Board teleconference which will again discuss the games scheduled for Zimbabwe and Kenya.”
Speed stressed that the ICC Board has previously determined that safety and security is the only criterion to be considered by the ICC.
“The ICC is an international sporting organisation with 84 members with a variety of cultures, beliefs and political systems.
“Its members are in place to make judgments on cricket administration and not to take a political stance on foreign policy issues. This is the role and responsibility of governments."
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