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Five battle for Malkia Strikers head coach role

Malkia Strikers

Kenya's national women's volleyball team players before their pool match against Poland at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Photo credit: Joan Pereruan | Nation Media Group

By  Agnes Makhandia

Sports Reporter

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • To qualify for the head coach role, candidates must have at least an FIVB Level II Coaching Certificate, a proven coaching track record, knowledge of international volleyball trends, and availability for team engagements.
  • KVF Deputy President Paul Bitok revealed that while they received applications from foreign coaches, financial constraints ruled them out.

Five local coaches have applied for the head coach position of Kenya's women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, following an open call by the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) last month.

For the first time in history, KVF advertised technical bench positions for the national women’s team, encouraging only Kenyans to apply on their website and social media pages.

Interviews for one head coach slot, two assistant coach positions, and one physical trainer role will be conducted on Saturday, February 15.

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The previous technical bench comprised head coach Japheth Munala, assistant coach Josp Barasa, and the late Janet Wanja as the team’s trainer. Their last assignment was the Paris Olympic Games, where Kenya finished last in Pool B after losing all their matches against Japan, Brazil, and Poland.

The five coaches vying for the head coach role are Japheth Munala – current Malkia Strikers head coach and KCB Women’s Volleyball coach,  Elisha Aliwa – men’s national team and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) men’s coach, 
Cathrine Mabwi – FIVB Coaches Commission member and Mpesa Foundation Academy coach, Geoffrey Omondi – Kenya Pipeline women’s coach and John Mwaniki – Nairobi Water women’s coach.

The new technical bench’s first major assignment will be the 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship, set for August 22 to September 7 in Thailand.

To qualify for the head coach role, candidates must have at least an FIVB Level II Coaching Certificate, a proven coaching track record, knowledge of international volleyball trends, and availability for team engagements.

KVF Deputy President Paul Bitok revealed that while they received applications from foreign coaches, financial constraints ruled them out.

“We received applications from far and beyond. As much as we would have liked to consider them, we know the package that they come with and really, the federation doesn't have money to pay them. With local coaches, we can always find a way to work with them,” said Bitok.

Nine candidates have applied for the two assistant coach slots, requiring a minimum FIVB Level I Coaching Course Certificate. Among them is Josp Barasa, who seeks to retain his role. Other contenders include Jackline Barasa – KDF women’s coach, Esther Ouna, Esther Jepkosgei, Margaret Indakala – former Kenya Pipeline assistant coaches.

Vernon Khayinga – Post Bank women’s coach.
David Muthui – KCB assistant coach.
Samuel Mugata – Vihiga men & women’s coach.
Marvin Tuikong – Rapid Deployment Unit coach.

The physical trainer role has attracted five candidates:

Sally Wanjala – Nairobi Prisons men’s and beach volleyball women’s coach.
Azenga Mavisi – Kenya Prisons women’s assistant coach.
Jeremiah Mukopi – Directorate of Criminal Investigations coach.
Chema Steel – coach.

Emma Kondo.

KVF will announce the final technical bench lineup on February 28.