Kenya’s Malkia Strikers side is among 32 teams set to compete in Thailand from August 22 to September 7, 2025, for the FIVB Women’s World Championships.

The qualified teams have been drawn into eight pools of four, with matches taking place across Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Kenya joins Egypt and Cameroon as the three African representatives at the tournament.

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.

The team comprises veterans and fresh blood from the country’s top premier league clubs. With the mixture of experience and new energy, the team is tipped to compete for top two positions in their pool.

Having Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket and Chiang Mai as the host cities, pool play will determine the 16 teams that will advance to the knockout rounds, the top two sides in each pool move forward. Starting in the Round of 16, the single-elimination phases will all be held in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) unveiled the final 14-member Malkia Strikers squad on Thursday, August 14, 2025, that will represent the country at the 2025 FIVB World Championship.

Seventeen players have been in residential training at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium, with two – Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) outside hitter Sarah Namisi and Kenya Pipeline middle blocker Marriane Sokoiyo – named as training partners. Kenya Prisons setter Marcleen Akoko was dropped from the final list.

The squad will first travel to Vietnam for a series of friendly matches against hosts Vietnam and Spain before departing for Thailand on August 20. The travel will be staggered, with the first batch leaving on Thursday night and the second on Friday.

The tournament, which will be held in Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, features an expanded field of 32 national teams per gender in its new biannual format. After the pool stages, all knockout matches from the Round of 16 will be staged in Bangkok.

The final Malkia Strikers squad:

Setters: Emmaculate Nekesa, Fridah Boke

Liberos: Cellestine Nyongesa, Sharleen Maywa

Left Attackers: Juliana Namutira, Meldine Sande (captain), Veronica Adhiambo, Daisy Leting

Opposite Hitters: Pamela Adhiambo, Mercy Iminza, Marlyne Tata

Middle Blockers: Gladys Ekaru (assistant captain), Belinda Barasa, Lorraine Chebet

Training Partners: Sarah Namisi, Marriane Sokoiyo

Team Officials:

Head Coach – Geoffrey Omondi

Assistant Coaches – David Muthui, Esther Jepkosgei

Trainer – Mavisi Azenga

Team Manager – John Oronje

Head of Delegation – Paul Bitok

Chaperone – Neddy Nelimo

Physiotherapist – Sarah Karongo