Despite dependable Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) middle blocker Ayuen Mach enjoying the best form of his career thus far, he still can’t represent his club and Kenya at the international stage.
For Mach, 24, to play for KPA in the African Club Championship, his club must pay CHF 2000 (Sh258,000) as an international transfer fee to International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
Kenya Volleyball Federation deputy President, Paul Bitok, said once the registration fee is paid the talented Mach can feature for KPA on the international stage.
“He is a good player and I wish KPA would pay the registration fee. Once the fee is paid, a percentage will go to South Sudan Volleyball Federation and another percentage to KVF," said Bitok.
To play for Kenya’s Wafalme Stars, Mach would need to become a Kenyan citizen. Mach was born in South Sudan and came to Kenya in 2007, when he was barely six years old.
In 2022, he failed to make the Kenya beach volleyball squad for African Commonwealth Games qualifiers in Accra, Ghana due to lack of clearance from FIVB and documentations to show he was eligible to play for the country.
His parents relocated him to Kenya specifically to study, but little did he know he would become a household name in the country, at least as far as volleyball is concerned.
He was instrumental in helping KPA qualify for the finals of the Kenya Volleyball Federation play-offs at the Makande Hall, in Mombasa last weekend.
KPA swept defending champions Kenya Prisons in their best of three semi-final play-offs, 3-1 (25-19,17-25,25-20,25-18) on May 23 and 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-18) a day later.
KPA will now play former champions General Service Unit in the final set for June 6-8 at the Moi International Sports Center indoor arena, in Kasarani, Nairobi as the hunt for their first ever national title, and you bet Mach will be in the thick of things.
Mach says his parents wanted him to get good education in Kenya which was better than what South Sudan was offering. Mach is set to graduate in December with a Bachelor of Business Information from Strathmore University.
He studied at the Nakuru Teachers Primary School and Mama Ngina Kenyatta Secondary School in Rongai Constituency, in Nakuru County
“My family moved to Kenya in 2007 and generally our parents wanted us to have good education but somehow along the way, I fell in love with sports.
Education system in Kenya is better than in South Sudan. I played football in primary. But when I joined secondary in 2015, I joined almost every sport. I played, football, volleyball, basketball, handball and lawn tennis.
“The good thing about me is that I’m quick to learn. So, getting to know the basics of these different sports was not hard. After a couple of years of continuous training, I became better in all these sports,” he said at Makande Hall in Mombasa.
The 24-year-old revealed that he was a good football player where he used to play in the County League in Nakuru while still in secondary school.
“Where we trained for football over the weekend and after school on week days, there was a volleyball pitch nearby. So, I would watch the action. I was amazed by how this sport was being played. I grew interest in it. It took time for me to even get a spot in the court during the training session which were intense and no one wanted to play with a beginner at the time.
I thank coach Njenga who took a leap of faith and begun to train me. Njenga would leave his work place at 3pm just to come and train me. He was dedicated coach who ensured I learned the skills. He saw the potential in me and looking back, I’m who I’m now because of him,” says the South Sudanese who comes from a sporting family that also had basketball players.
The middle blocker, who joined KPA from Strathmore University last season and went straight to the starting lineup, says he is glad he chose volleyball over football when he was offered a scholarship at Strathmore.
“After completing my high school exams in 2018, I got news from my friend that Strathmore University was holding trials for football, volleyball, handball and basketball. I chose volleyball because I had good basics of the game and I was comfortable playing the game, plus I had come to really love the sport.
Besides, football is not big at Strathmore compared to volleyball, handball and rugby so I settled on volleyball. I must have been good enogh because I got the scholarship,” he said with a smile.
He starred at Strathmore University winning multiple Kenya University Sports Association volleyball titles. KPA noticed him and came calling.
“I’m happy to have joined KPA in 2024/2025 season. It’s a great team. Starting from the management to players, they are wonderful people. I have been a starter in the team since I joined them and that has given me the morale to do better.
I’m extremely proud of the team as we have qualified for the play-offs and I will give my best to ensure we win the National League title and also the Kenya Cup trophy. We have what it takes to bag both titles” said Mach, whose role model is Cuban middle blocker Robertlandy Simon.
Mach and Brian Kamonde have taken charge of the middle blocking department at the KPA, relegating Dominic Fikiri, Micah Lemoi and Zecky Ochieng.
“I don’t want to talk about dual citizenship that would see me perhaps play for national team Wafalme Stars, but I’m just happy where I’m now and my focus is to play well. But we will have to wait and see what the future holds,” said Mach, who holds a Level One beach volleyball coaching qualification.
Mach said unlike basketball which is doing well in South Sudan, volleyball lags behind though there is huge potential with the right investment.
Mach normally partners Josphat Muliro in beach volleyball and the pair have won bronze medals in the homologated circuit in the country.
When he finally calls it a day, Mach would like to be a coach either in Kenya or South Sudan.
“Wherever the opportunity aligns with my vision and the needs of the players, that’s where I’ll be. Whether in Kenya, South Sudan, or anywhere else, my goal remains the same: to develop talent, instill discipline, and create a winning mindset.
The place matters less than the impact I can make. My passion is to guide, inspire, and elevate those I work with—regardless of location,” he said.
