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Village club two season ago, Chema on brink of Kenyan volleyball glory
Levis Ogutu of Chema Volleyball Club spikes against Timoh Kimutai of Kenya Prisons Service during their Kenya Volleyball Federation National men League semi-finals play-offs match against Kenya Prisons Service at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 4, 2026.
What you need to know:
- Formed in 2023, Chema are competing in the top flight league for the first time, while KPA are now in their 13th season without success.
- The women’s final play-offs will see champions Kenya Pipeline, who are seeking their 15th title, tackle nine-time winners Kenya Prisons.
A new Kenya Volleyball Federation Men’s National League champion will be crowned this weekend.
Debutants Chema clash with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the best-of-three final play-offs at Moi International Sports Centre, Indoor Arena, starting on Friday.
The women’s final play-offs will see familiar foes, champions Kenya Pipeline, who are seeking their 15th title, tackle nine-time winners Kenya Prisons.
Formed in 2023, Chema are competing in the top flight league for the first time, while KPA are now in their 13th season without success.
Chema Volleyball Club coach Jeremiah Mukopi gestures from the touchline during the Kenya Volleyball Federation National men League semi-finals play-offs match against Kenya Prisons Service at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 4, 2026.
Chema coach Jeremiah Mukopi and skipper Lewis Ogutu say they have crafted a plan that they hope will tame the Dockers.
KPA beat Chema in straight sets of 25-23, 25-16, 25-18 in their preliminary round meeting, a result Mukopi reckons came with vital lessons.
“We want to avoid the final spilling to Sunday by locking the first two games. We need to go through the first game as smoothly and fast as possible,” said Mukopi.
Mukopi and Ogutu singled out KPA’s opposite attacker, Peter Kamara, who has been a thorn in the flesh of many teams.
“Kamara is in form and plays fast balls. We need to have a good front and good back court defence to counter his cross-court play,” said Mukopi, adding that good reception will be key to their quest for the title.
Ogutu said they had reviewed all of KPA’s past games and had planned accordingly.
“We didn’t utilise our attack well, especially at the middle, against KPA when we met last. We made errors in our points conversion but that has been addressed in training,” said Ogutu.
The Juja-based Chema upset the form book when they claimed swift revenge, stunning former champions Kenya Prisons 2-1 in their three-match semi-final play-offs at the Moi International Sports Centre, Indoor Arena. Chema dismantled Prisons in the decisive Game Three 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 16-25, 25-19).
Chema’s liberos have a Herculean task containing KPA serves with Ogutu, Mach Mayen, Ian Lunalo and Trivor Omondi being tasked with defence.
The newcomers shocked many on their debut in the 2024/2025 KVF Division II League when they topped the table with 32 points from 13 wins out of 14 fixtures played.
Chema Volleyball Club celebrate winning a set against Kenya Prisons Service during a Kenya Volleyball Federation National men League semi-finals play-offs match against Kenya Prisons Service at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 4, 2026.
They clinched the title in style, defeating league leaders The Beast VC 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-14, 36-34) in an intensely fought final match.
That saw them secure their historic promotion to the top-tier league where they caused ripples this season, winning 11 matches and losing three.
Chema finished third in the regular season in the 14-team league with 32 points behind leaders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) with 39 points and Kenya Prisons with 36 points.
Besides Kamara, Chema have left attacker Kevin Wanyama and middle blocker Brian Kamonde, who have been a revelation this season.
KPA defeated Kenya Defence Forces 2-0 in their best-of-three series semi-finals.
“They are good in attack but we have polished our defence and back court play,” said KPA coach James Ontere. “The fact that they are in the final in their first season is an indication that they are a good side.”
“It’s time to repay our sponsors with the title,” said Ontere.
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