Nine players have been demoted from the Kenya women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, as the team continues its preparation for the upcoming FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship in Thailand.

The competition will run from Friday, August 22, 2025, to Monday, September 7, 2025.

According to a statement from KVF on Friday, July 25, 2025, the technical bench whittled down the squad from 29 players to 20.

A provisional squad of 29 players had been undergoing non-residential training at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Dropped

Those dropped are Kenya Defence Forces’ setter, Vallerie Chepkoech, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Vivian Vugutsa.

 Libero Peninah Wafula and Kenya Prisons Sharon Sandui, who has been nursing an injury that she picked up during the Kenya Cup semifinal match against KCB Women’s Volleyball Team, have also been dropped.

Others are left attackers Valentine Jemutai and Miriam Musa, as well as opposite hitter Deborah Sang and middle blocker Lydia Iswan. 

KVF has further revealed that a further purge will be undertaken on 14 players who will take part in an international friendly event scheduled for Friday, August 15, in Vietnam.

 Malkia Striker’s technical bench is led by head coach Geoffrey Omondi, assistant coaches Esther Jepkosgei and David Muthui, and trainer Azenga Mavisi.

In a previous update, the team revealed that Meldina Sande had been named the new captain ahead of the global championship.

Sande will be assisted by Gladys Ekaru, who plies her trade with the Kenya Pipeline Volleyball Club.

“Kenyan star Meldina Sande will captain the Malkia Strikers at the FIVB Women’s World Championship in Thailand, with Gladys Ekaru as her assistant,” a statement from the Malkia Strikers confirmed.

Sande succeeded Triza Atuka for the championship games. The pair has been in the team’s leadership roles since 2014, with Atuka captaining the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Squad

Setters: Emmaulate Nekesa, Fridah Boke, and Marclean Okoko.

Opposite hitters: Mercy Iminza, Malyne Terry, Loice Simiyu, and Pamela Adhiambo.

Middle blockers: Belinda Barasa, Elizabeth Sokoiyo, Gladys Ekaru, Lorine Chebet, and Pauline Chemtai.

Outside hitters: Daisy Leting, Veronica Adhiambo, Juliana Namutira, Sarah Namisi, and Captain Meldina Sande)

Liberos: Celestine Nafula, Sharlene Maywa, and Dolphine Misoki.