The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) women’s volleyball team has gone big on recruitment of players, snapping up big names and putting them in the National Police Service.
In 2022, DCI recruited 14 players into the service, and they were partly responsible for DCI’s good run in the league that saw it defy the odds to finish second in last season’s Kenya Volleyball Federation Women’s National League for the first time since the team was founded in 2018.
On November 17 at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus in Nairobi, DCI recruited seven players to bolster the squad as it gets ready to compete in 2026 Africa Club Championships. The seven players reported to Kiganjo Police Training College yesterday for nine months of professional training.
The seven players are last season’s Kenya Volleyball Federation Women’s National League Most Valuable Player and left attacker Daisy Jepkorir, and centre player Lydia Iswan, both of whom have been recruited from league champions Kenya Pipeline.
Left attackers Sharon Jeruto and Jerop Odilia, opposite hitter Vivian Bor, libero Maureen Wanyonyi, and middle blocker Gloria Make have been with DCI, but have now been given professional contracts. The recruitment of players couldn’t have come at a better time for DCI. The team finished second in the league and booked an automatic ticket to next year’s Africa Clubs Championship alongside Kenya Pipeline.
Noel Murambi (left) of Kenya Pipeline attacks as Sarah Namisi (centre) and Peris Kanus of DCI attempt to block the ball during game two of the Kenya Volleyball Federation play-offs final at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on June 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
News of the recruitment of the players is music to the ears of team manager Neddy Kilimoh who says it is a sign of good gesture by the management.
“I thank Mohamed Amin who is Director, Directorate of Criminal Investigation, our club chairman Muriuki Raaria, and Director of Personnel at DCI Francis Ndiema for giving us the chance to employ these players. It will definitely stabilise the team and keep the players grounded,” Nelimo observed.
“By offering them employment, the future of the players is secured. It gives me so much pleasure knowing that I helped a player put food on the table. Most of these players come from humble backgrounds and to secure them jobs really means a lot to me. I’m thankful for the chance to put a smile on the faces of the players,” she added.
Kilimoh also said the club has recruited International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) instructor and former Kenyan international Cathrine Mabwi on their technical bench ahead of the new season that serves off on the weekend of December 13 to 15 at Moi International Sports Centre Indoor Arena. Mabwi joins Patrick Sang and Dancun Chore on the team’s bench.
“She is a good addition to the technical bench. We are happy to have her and we can only hope for the best. We will be making our maiden appearance at the African Clubs championship and we want our presence to be felt. At the same time, we are keen to challenge for the league title. We have put in the work, and we have what it takes to muscle for the title,” she concluded.
Kilimoh said she has seen and experienced the growth of players who received a call-up to the Kenya women’s volleyball team,Malkia Strikers for the World Championship in Thailand.
“Mercy Iminza and Sarah Namisi have been impactful to the team and my wish is to contribute more players to the team in future assignments. It’s through such development that a team matures,” she concluded.
