Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) rounded off a memorable domestic campaign by bagging bronze at the Mozzart Kenya Cup after outplaying Prisons Kenya 3-2 in a riveting men's third-place playoff, while Kenya Pipeline Corporation completed a domestic double with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over KCB Bank in the women's final at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Fresh from capturing their maiden Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) National Men's League title, KPA came from behond twice to outdo Prisons 23-25, 25-22, 26-24, 14-25, 15-11 in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Prisons made the brighter start, taking the opening set 25-23 after surviving a tense battle. The warders had surged into an 8-4 lead, but KPA fought back to draw level at 15-15 and 16-16 before briefly moving ahead 17-16. Prisons regained control despite several service errors and held on to take the set.
KPA answered in the second set. After Prisons narrowed the gap to 18-16 with an ace, the dockers capitalised on successive errors and unleashed powerful attacks to seize the initiative. They resisted a late Prisons fightback before a decisive spike secured a 25-22 win to level the match.
The league champions from Mombasa then snatched a tightly contested third set 26-24 after Prisons sent a crucial spike wide, moving within one set of victory.
Prisons responded in dominant fashion in the fourth set, racing ahead from the start. KPA called an early timeout while trailing 10-4, but the move failed to halt the warders, who cruised to a convincing 25-14 victory to force a deciding set.
KPA held their nerve in the fifth set, opening a healthy advantage before sealing a 15-11 triumph when Prisons' final serve found the net.
KPA head coach James Ontere admitted the club had hoped to complete a league and Kenya Cup double, but was pleased to end the season with a podium finish.
"We really wanted the Kenya Cup after winning the league because we wanted the championship double. Unfortunately, we fell short in the semi-finals, but we redeemed ourselves by finishing third," noted Ontere.
The former KPA player described leading the club to its first-ever league crown as a personal milestone.
"Since I was a player, I dreamed of winning the league. I didn't do it as a player, but I've now achieved it as a coach. It made the players, management and everyone at Kenya Ports Authority very happy and motivated us greatly."
Ontere credited teamwork and discipline for KPA's breakthrough season.
"The cohesiveness of the team made the difference. The players trained well, followed instructions and worked together. Kamara was outstanding and deserved his Most Valuable Player award, while captain Dennis Omolo was excellent in reception and Sean Wanyama played a huge role in attack."
He disclosed that the team would take a brief break before reinforcing the squad for the 2026/2027 campaign.
KPA Sports Officer Antony Ojukwu lauded the men's volleyball team's remarkable season.
"I'm happy that my players are continuing to do well. I am happy that we won the men's volleyball league for the very first time in the history. We had never won the volleyball league in our 20 years of existence. I am happy we have ended the season with another medal in Kenya Cup.
"I congratulate my players and management. I'm happy that our KPA teams are doing well on both fronts, that is volleyball and basketball. Our basketball teams are currently in the top two bracket in the women and men premier leagues. We hope to continue doing well in the coming seasons because we have made some good investment," said the former national women's basketball team head coach.
In the women's final, league champions Pipeline overcame a determined KCB side to lift the Kenya Cup and complete a domestic double.
KCB claimed the opening set 25-21 after taking advantage of shaky reception from Veronica Adhiambo.
Pipeline bounced back emphatically, dismantling the bankers 25-12 in the second set through dominant serving and a series of aces to level the contest.
The oilers then claimed the third set 25-21 to edge closer to the title before KCB fought back to win the fourth set 25-23 and force a decider.
Pipeline completed a stirring comeback in the fifth set after trailing 11-9. Noel Murambi's spike drew the scores level at 11-11 before solid blocking and poor KCB reception handed Pipeline the upper hand. A final winning spike secured a 15-11 victory and the Kenya Cup title.
Pipeline head coach Geoffrey Omondi described the final as one of the most demanding matches of the campaign.
"The season has been tough and those matches prepared us for this stage. KCB are a very strong opponent and they gave everything, but by God's grace we won the Kenya Cup after already winning the league," noted Omondi.
He acknowledged that the match was evenly balanced after it went the distance.
"The fifth set belongs to anybody. I almost had the match won in the fourth set, but it slipped away. We had to plan well, adjust our strategy and fortunately it worked."
Omondi, who also coaches the national women's team Malkia Strikers, revealed that the focus would now shift to international assignments.
"We have been assessing players throughout the competition. The technical bench has been watching closely and now the focus shifts to preparing Malkia Strikers as we target qualification for the Olympic Games."
He also commended the setters from both Pipeline and KCB, noting that their displays had intensified competition for places in the national team. Pipeline setter Emmaculate Nekesa was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
In the women's bronze medal playoff, Directorate of Criminal Investigations shocked Prisons Kenya 3-2, winning 25-22, 25-23, 9-25, 24-26, 19-17.
