It was almost dark when vice-captain Jimmy Kamande sprinted a bye for Kenya to give the home side a five-wicket victory over the Netherlands at Nairobi Gymkhana today.

In the end the Dutchmen's bid to keep the game going until nightfall failed to pay off and Kenya just ran out winners.

The eventual capitulation by the Dutch - in the 62nd over of a possible 64 - was not without a hard fight after they had allowed the hosts to steal a 48-run first innings lead.

Shortly after lunch they declared on 367 for 6 in their second innings (Nick Statham 62 not out), setting Kenya a generous target of 320 in 64 overs.

In the 60th over, captain Maurice Ouma was run out to fill the home camp, for whom David Obuya, Rakep Patel, Collins Obuya and Alex Obanda had all batted well, with late tension.

But Kamande and pace bowler Nehemiah Odhiambo kept their heads in the final overs to steer Kenya to victory at just after 6.30pm