Kenya men’s volleyball team selection battle intensifies ahead of Kampala qualifiers
By Joel Masibo, May 19, 2026Competition for places in Kenya’s men’s national volleyball team has reached a critical stage as the provisional squad continues preparations for the upcoming CAVB Zonal Qualifiers set to take place at Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala, Uganda, from Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 5, 2026.
The race to secure a spot in the final traveling squad is proving fierce, with several notable players already missing out as the technical bench trims the team ahead of the regional assignment.
9 players dropped
Among the players who have not made it into the current 16-man training camp are Sam Juma of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Dillon Chumba from Trailblazers, Joshua Kimaru of General Service Unit (GSU), Enock Mogeni who plies his trade in Qatar, Stephen Maluki from Kenya Prisons, Elvis Mein of GSU, Bethwel Kiplagat from Eldowas, Shadrach Misiko of GSU, Eugine Okello from Chema VC, and Amos Karani of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Their omission highlights the intense level of competition currently within the national setup, as players continue battling for limited slots in the final squad.
Despite the latest cuts, the selection process is not yet complete. The coaching staff is still expected to drop two more players before confirming the final 14-man team that will travel to Kampala for the qualifiers.
Kenya has traditionally been one of the region’s volleyball powerhouses, and expectations remain high that the team will deliver a strong performance in Kampala despite the stiff competition for places within the squad itself. The qualifiers come shortly after Africa’s top clubs converged for the 2026 Men’s African Volleyball Club Championship in Kigali, Rwanda.
Carrying the nation’s hopes
Kenya will be banking on various players who were representing their clubs at the tournament in Rwanda to step in and fly the country’s flag high across the boarder.
With national pride on the line and qualification ambitions at stake, every training session has now become crucial for the remaining players seeking to impress the technical bench.
The qualifiers are expected to attract some of the strongest volleyball nations in the region, making Kenya’s preparations vital as the team aims to secure success on the continental stage.