After an inspiring stint with the national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, at the FIVB World Championship in Phuket, Thailand, assistant coach Azenga Mavisi has now set his sights on guiding Kenya Prisons back to the summit of the National League.

The wardresses last clinched the league title in 2021 with Mavisi as part of the technical bench. As the new season looms, with defending champions Kenya Pipeline ready to defend their crown, Mavisi believes his team has the potential to reclaim their lost glory.

“It has been long since Prisons won the League title, and it’s about time for the wardresses to reclaim it,” he said, speaking on August 30, 2025.

Lessons from the World Stage

Mavisi made his debut on the Malkia Strikers’ technical bench during the World Championship, where Kenya delivered a spirited performance despite failing to progress to the second round. Under head coach Geoffrey Omondi, the Strikers registered a straight-sets victory over Vietnam (25-23, 25-22, 25-20) and fought hard against Poland, stealing one set before going down 3-1 (17-25, 25-15, 15-25, 14-25). Their campaign had started on a difficult note with a 3-0 loss to Germany (25-22, 25-8, 25-18).

While Kenya did not advance to the round of 16, the experience gained was invaluable. For Mavisi, it was a personal milestone as he transitioned from coaching high school teams such as Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls in Kakamega County to the global stage.

“I have gathered enough exposure and lessons to share with my team back home. I believe the experience I picked here will not go in vain,” he said.

Two Kenya Prisons players, middle blocker Lorine Chebet and captain Meldina Sande, were also part of the Malkia Strikers squad in Thailand. Mavisi noted that their participation at the championship provided crucial insights that will be instrumental in the upcoming league season. “I had two players from Prisons, and I believe they have also learned a thing or two that will be crucial for us in the league,” he added.

Building for the league

With the National League set to begin in late October, Kenya Prisons are banking on a blend of international exposure and local experience to challenge for the title. The wardresses, once a dominant force in Kenyan volleyball, have seen rivals Kenya Pipeline rise in recent years. However, Mavisi insists that Prisons remain a formidable side, ready to upset the balance of power.

He emphasized the need for consistent training and teamwork to maintain competitiveness. To that end, he proposed monthly training camps for the Malkia Strikers, even outside active competition, to help the players maintain cohesion.

“We are looking at ways in which the team can be training once every month so that the players can continue to gel,” he explained.

For Mavisi, continuity is key. He believes that the lessons from Thailand—both the victories and the defeats—must be converted into strategies that can benefit his club and the national team in the long term.

Eyeing international collaboration

Beyond the domestic league, the World Championship also opened doors for potential international collaborations. According to Mavisi, top-ranked teams such as Germany and Poland expressed interest in playing friendly matches with the Malkia Strikers.

“We have received a lot of positives from this championship. The players have showcased what they can do, and no wonder countries like Italy and Germany are willing to play friendly matches with us. This is the type of arrangement we need to have going forward,” he said.

He urged the Kenya Volleyball Federation, through the Ministry of Sports, to seize such opportunities to enhance the team’s development. He believes that exposure to international standards is the missing link that can elevate Kenyan volleyball to greater heights.

As Mavisi returns to Kenya as part of the third batch of the Malkia Strikers contingent, expected at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday at 2:30 PM, the focus now shifts to the domestic front. For Kenya Prisons, the task is clear—dethrone Kenya Pipeline and reclaim their place at the top.

With Mavisi’s newly acquired international experience, bolstered by players who have tested their skills against some of the world’s best, the wardresses enter the new season with renewed confidence and ambition.

All eyes will be on them as the countdown to the National League begins, and as Mavisi himself says, “It’s about time.”