Kenya have named New Zealander Mike Hesson as their new national cricket coach, officials said on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old has been involved in coaching New Zealand 'A' and "Emerging Players" sides since 2005 as well as assisting the main New Zealand team as a specialist batting coach.
He takes over from former West Indies all-rounder Eldine Baptiste, who was fired in April after Kenya's poor performance at the World Cup.
"We are delighted to have secured Mike's services. He has an excellent record of developing players and successful teams," Cricket Kenya Chief Executive Officer Tom Sears said in a statement.
"He has worked at the highest level with some of the best players in the game and throughout the selection process demonstrated a real desire and clear vision to take our national team forward."
Hesson joins Cricket Kenya from New Zealand provincial side Otago Volts where he won two domestic titles and took the team to the Champions League Twenty20 tournament during his six-year spell.
Hesson has also spent time with English County side Gloucestershire as an assistant coach.
The former top order batsman will join on an initial two-year contract, arriving in time for the upcoming Intercontinental Cup match against the United Arab Emirates
"I was stimulated by the passion shown to drive Cricket Kenya forward. I am very much looking forward to this exciting new coaching opportunity and working with the undoubted talent there is within Kenya," said Hesson.
