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KVF League: Equity on cloud nine after beating holders Prisons
Equity Bank’s Wilson Cheruiyot (centre) spikes against Kenya Prisons’ Timothy Kipruto and Sila Kipruto (right) on during their Kenya Volleyball Federation men’s Premier league match played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena on March 2, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Meanwhile, KVF Deputy President Paul Bitok has appealed to the Ministry of Sports to waive or reduce indoor facility fees, citing high costs as a burden on clubs and the federation.
- “For us to use this facility, we have to pay Sh60,000 per day, which is very expensive. This season, we have many events, and our teams will need this venue frequently. We request that the fee be reduced to at least Sh20,000, which would be more manageable,” Bitok stated.
Kenya Prisons opposite hitter Michael Chemos admitted his team was not at its best after suffering a 3-0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-20) loss to Equity Bank in the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men’s National League at the Moi International Sports Centre indoor arena in Nairobi Sunday.
Chemos pointed to disorganisation from the start and the absence of key players as major factors in the defending champions’ loss.
“We are not happy with the result, and it pains, but we still have time to recover and regroup ahead of our final match of the regular season against Mt. Kenya Base and the playoffs. We lost honourably—the set score difference shows it was a tough, close match. We are still feeling the absence of Elphas Makuto and Dennis Esokon, but we hope our new players will have settled by the playoffs in May,” Chemos stated.
First win
Makuto and Esokon, two of Kenya Prisons’ top performers, are currently on professional stints in Rwanda, with Makuto playing for Rwanda National Police and Esokon, the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP), joining Rwanda Patriotic Army.
Equity Bank coach Patrick Owino was thrilled after securing his team’s first-ever victory against Kenya Prisons, calling it a major confidence boost.
“This is our first win against Prisons, and the feeling is great, but it’s just a league match—we still have a mountain to climb. We hope to qualify for the playoffs, and once we’re in, we will push for a third-place finish. All departments worked well today, and I’m happy we got the job done,” Owino said.
Owino, who took over coaching duties from veteran coach Sammy Kirongo this season, urged his players to stay focused and not get ahead of themselves.
With the regular season winding down, Kenya Prisons will now focus on their final match against Mt. Kenya Base, as they prepare for the KVF playoffs in May.
Meanwhile, KVF Deputy President Paul Bitok has appealed to the Ministry of Sports to waive or reduce indoor facility fees, citing high costs as a burden on clubs and the federation.
“For us to use this facility, we have to pay Sh 60,000 per day, which is very expensive. This season, we have many events, and our teams will need this venue frequently. We request that the fee be reduced to at least Sh20,000, which would be more manageable,” Bitok stated.
