Nobody gave the Kenya national women’s volleyball team, formed five months earlier, a chance at the 1987 Nairobi All Africa Games.
In fact, they were labelled lazy and fat, and widely expected to lose all their matches in the women’s volleyball competition held at the Bomas of Kenya.
After a decision was made by the organisers to include women’s volleyball in the Nairobi Games, the then Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) chairman, Miendo Salamba, picked Wycliffe Onyango, to construct a team.
“I sourced for players mainly from teams in Western Kenya and colleges like the University of Nairobi,” said Onyango.
And thus, the Kenya national women’s volleyball team came into being.
Kenya, who came to also be known as Malkia Strikers on November 12, 2014, defeated giants Egypt, Mauritius, Ghana and Madagascar in the preliminaries of the 1987 African Games.
“We played our matches virtually in an empty arena but the hall was packed to capacity during the final,” said Omondi, the pioneer national women’s volleyball coach.
As Malkia Strikers were warming up for the final, President Daniel Arap Moi entered the arena together with his entourage, bringing everything to a standstill.
“I told myself silently that we had lost this. The girls were shell-shocked and looked tense. Some of them were seeing the President for the first time. Some had come to Nairobi for the first time,” said Onyango.
Kenya lost the first two sets before President Moi exited the venue only for Malkia Strikers to hit back with a set.
“However, the Egyptians won in 3-1 sets,” recalled Onyango. “While we acknowledged the presence of the President, it completely destabilized us. Maybe, we should have been told earlier.”
Onyango says in a conversation with Nation Sport that it wasn't easy playing when the President was just five metres away from them as it put them under immense pressure.
That pioneer squad had Margaret Indakala, Ann Wekhomba, Lucy “Fataki” Kamweru, Jane Njeri-Onyango, Grace Mulongo, Eunice Kagogo, Nereah Ouma, Emily Kusimba and Truphosa Lai.
Kenya gained their revenge on Egypt, thrashing them 3-0 at the 1991 All Africa Games in Cairo that doubled up as the Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship and Women's Volleyball World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya's national women's volleyball team players celebrate their win over Nigeria in the round of 16 of the 2026 Africa Volleyball Championship at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani indoor Arena, on August 29, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
That conquering Kenya team was captained by Fataki with Njeri-Onyango as her deputy and started the country’s dominance of continental volleyball.
Kenya have won an unmatched five All Africa Games (now African Games) titles and 10 Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship crowns.
“Winning the African Nations and African Games double in 1991 was the best feeling ever. It set the stage for Malkia’s dominance,” said right attacker, Njeri-Onyango, who is now a Senior Counsel.
Njeri-Onyango reckons that they never had opportunities like the current players, who get to tour with the national team or respective clubs.
“We used to train well and our level of fitness was high, unlike the current players, who are pushed to do things,” said Njeri-Onyango, noting that lack of discipline has hindered progress.
“I feel coaches or the technical bench are not in control most of the time and that leads to discipline cases. How I wish we had these opportunities during our time,” said Njeri-Onyango.
Coach Onyango, who guided Malkia Strikers to the 1991 double and the 1991 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup before quitting for private business, opined that the standards have remained the same, illustrated by Malkia Strikers failing to get past the preliminary round at world events over the last three decades.
“What has changed is that training has become scientific and there is sponsorship unlike during our days,” said Onyango. “I sourced coaching manual tapes mainly from Brazil to help me in coaching but right now, we have everything online.”
Kenya's Veronica Adhiambo spikes against Aisha Umaru of Nigeria during their round of 16 match of the 2026 Africa Volleyball Championship at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani indoor Arena, on August 29, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Oyango recalls that they had to plead with Kenya Pipeline Company management back in 1988 to allow their women's team to compete at the African Women's Volleyball Club Championship.
Onyango noted that it's that persistence that saw Kenya Posta win the continental club championship in 1991 and 1992 before Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons claimed the continental titles five times each.
Doris Wefwafwa, Nancy Lijodi, Anne Wekhomba, Lena Serem, Pamela Mukima, Jane Njeri (deputy captain), Nancy Sikobe, Lucy “Fataki” Kamweru (captain), Beatrice Kwoba, Dorcas Murunga, Catherine Mabwi, Mary Ayuma, Margaret Indakala, Melisa Angel
