The nine-time former Kenyan champions, Kenya Prisons, were on the verge of elimination.
Chasing their first Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Women’s National League title since 2021, the wardresses were on the back foot after KCB Bank won the first game of the best-of-three semi-final on Friday.
The head coach Josp Barasa deployed the experienced Brackcides ‘Blackie’ Agala from the bench. Prisons were struggling with their serves and reception in the second and third games. This proved to be a successful strategy, as the 42-year-old, tall, elegant and talented middle blocker demonstrated her continued dominance by thwarting KCB’s attempted break.
Kenya Prisons women's volleyball coach Josp Barasa reacts from the touchline during the Kenya Volleyball Federation National Women's League semi-final playoff against Kenya Commercial Bank at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani Indoor Arena on July 3, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Fresh from winning silver at the Women’s African Volleyball Club Championship, KCB claimed game one in 3-1 sets at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani: 25-14, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22.
KCB’s head coach, Japheth Munala, would unleash lethal left attacker Juliana Namutira, the experienced Mercy Moim, and the opposite hitter, Terry Tata, to destabilise Prisons’ reception in the first two sets.
However, Barasa’s Midas touch enabled Prisons to regain their form in the third set when he brought on Agala, Pamela Masaisai and libero Sharon Sandui. This strengthened their reception and helped them to win the set.
However, it was a little too late, as the bankers won the decisive set and looked set to finish off in game two on Saturday, which proved to be a seesaw.
The bankers were looking good when they won the first set 25–15, but Barasa rested Pauline Itoo and Mercy Cherono, bringing on Agala and Masaisai.
The bankers hit back to take the second and third sets, winning them 26–24 and 25–23 respectively. KCB levelled the duel at 2–2, taking the fourth set 25–20.
KCB took an early lead in the fifth set, but Agala’s astute serves and reception spurred them on to win the set 15–13 and the match 3–2, setting the stage for another five-set thriller on Sunday.
Kenya Prisons had the final laugh, winning in five sets with scores of 25-21, 20-25, 17-25, 25-13 and 15-12. Agala was brought in during the final set, when the score was tied at 7-7, and her swift serves and reception steered them to victory.
Prison will meet the defending champions, Kenya Pipeline, in the final slated for July 17–19 at the MISC Indoor Arena. This will be their first appearance in the final since losing to KCB in the 2023/24 competition.
Meanwhile, Kenya Pipeline edged out the DCI 2–0.
“My passion for the game and my hunger to perform are what keep me going,” said Agala. “You can’t wilt when the team needs you the most.”
“When a coach puts you in at a crucial moment, they trust you, and you can’t let them or the team down.”
Also, Agala said she could not fail her four children who had come to watch her play. Brandon Lujesi is 26, Sharleen Museshi is 23, Angela Shivikwa is 21, and Ariela Thatcher is eight.
“You don’t want your children to see you fail,” said Agala, who took up volleyball in 2004. She made her international debut with Malkia Strikers in 2007.
She rallied her team to stay focused, avoid the pressure, and go for every point when they faced Kenya Pipeline.
“Agala is like fine wine that matures with age. You only unleash her when you need to, and she delivered with crucial serves and a back-court display,” said Barasa.
Meanwhile, newcomers Chema continued to impress when they beat Kenya Prisons in the decisive Game Three of the men’s national league semi-final, winning 3–1 (25–19, 25–22, 16–25, 25–19). The teams were tied at 1–1. Chema faces Kenya Ports Authority in the final.
