Sports journalist Carol Radull has expressed her disappointment after Kenya’s national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, decried delayed allowances ahead of the FIVB Women’s World Championships in Thailand, where they are set to face Germany in their opening game on Saturday, August 22, 2025.

Radull has asked President William Ruto to intervene as the national team prepares for their opening fixture at the World Championships.

Taking to her social media pages, Radull confirmed receiving a video from Malkia Strikers players lamenting about delayed allowances, even after they met Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, who assured them that their money would be paid in due course, a promise that has remained unfulfilled for weeks.

”They say even money given to their Federation by their Betting partner has been used in part for kit and some costs, but the promised allowances. Imagine being out there representing the Nation on the WORLD stage, and worrying about what your family will eat. Rent. School fees. These girls, who have brought so much pride to Kenya in the past, just want their dues so they can focus on the games,” Radull said via her X account on Friday, August 22, 2025.

According to Radull, funds from the team’s betting partner have partly been used to cover kits and some logistical costs. The players say their personal allowances remain outstanding, leaving them frustrated and distracted at a critical time.

The development in the camp of Malkia Strikers has forced them to send a message to President William: ”And Dear Mr. President, Malkia Strikers are Kenyans too,” she said.

Malkia Strikers’ plea to the government comes days after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, who called for equal talent recognition as Kenya hosts the 2024 African Nations Championship alongside Tanzania and Uganda.

Striking a balance in talent appreciation

Speaking on a local television show on Monday, August 18, 2025, the legislator stressed that it is important for relevant authorities to strike a balance across the sports spectrum in matters of talent appreciation and development, not only in football.

“Other talents need to be appreciated, just like Harambee Stars. We should not only be a cheering squad; let’s even have a paybill number to reward the players when they win the semi-finals,” she proposed.

Her sentiments come amid President William Ruto’s continued financial boost towards the national men’s football team, Harambee Stars at the ongoing CHAN tournament. On Monday, August 18, 2025, President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga jointly gave out Ksh3 million to every Harambee Stars player as winning allowances after edging Zambia in a CHAN Group A match played at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 17, 2025, to qualify for CHAN 2024 quarter-finals.

Malkia Strikers will kick off their 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championships campaign on Saturday, 23 August 2025, against Germany at 17:00, before Poland meets Vietnam later in the evening.

Seeking to make a mark at the World Championships this year, the new-looking Malkia Strikers are placed in Pool G alongside Poland, Germany, and Vietnam, with their games scheduled in Phuket.