Kenya’s national men’s volleyball team, Wafalme Stars, have stepped up preparations for the 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Championship with head coach Gideon Tarus setting his sights on a historic top-three finish and qualification for the 2027 World Championship.
The championship will also serve as Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It will be held in Tunis, Tunisia, from September 13-26, after the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) moved the event from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, because of health concerns. The actual competition will run from September 15-25, with September 13 set for arrival and September 14 for the technical meeting.
The 16 participating nations are Kenya, Tunisia, Egypt, Cameroon, Algeria, Rwanda, Libya, Morocco, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Tarus explained that Wafalme Stars have been preparing for a month, with the first three weeks spent at Nyayo Gymnasium before moving to Kasarani Indoor Arena on Monday, September 7, for their final week of training.
“We have been training for the last month. Three weeks we were in Nyayo Gymnasium and this last week we are in Kasarani,” said Tarus.
The coach added that the team is using the final phase of preparations to sharpen service reception in the morning before switching focus to blocking, speedball and match-play situations in the evening.
Tarus welcomed the opportunity to train at Kasarani, saying the playing surface gives the players valuable familiarity with conditions similar to those they will encounter in Tunisia.
“We have practised almost everything and we pray God our plan goes well,” he said.
Although the championship draw has yet to be conducted, Tarus noted that his technical bench is already studying the continent’s leading sides, particularly hosts Tunisia and defending champions Egypt.
The coach from General Service Unit believes Kenya must shed its underdog mentality and challenge the traditional powers of African volleyball.
“Egypt, Tunisia and Cameroon are the best, but we are the best too. When are we going to change and be on the top? You cannot leave one or two teams to dominate Africa for that long. It is our time to make that change,” he said.
Wafalme Strikers will be chasing a top-three finish, which Tarus believes will require reaching the semi-finals before setting their sights on the title.
“That’s our target. If we are going for top three, we are going for semis. After reaching semis we want to go for the top,” he said.
The championship is particularly significant because it doubles as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIVB World Championship and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Tarus has retained a largely experienced squad, with 19-year-old Felix Ogembo of Kenya Airports Police Unit (KAPU) Volleyball Team, the only new face in the senior team. Ogembo previously featured for Kenya’s Under-21 side.
Former captain Enock Mogeni, who had been playing abroad, has also returned to the squad and is expected to provide leadership and motivation to the younger players.
“He motivates the young players. He talks to them and encourages most of the players,” said Tarus.
The coach has settled on a final 14-man squad and expects the team to travel to Tunisia on September 12, a day ahead of the official arrival schedule. They are also hoping to arrange a friendly match on September 13 as part of their final preparations.
With Kenya yet to qualify for the men’s Olympic volleyball tournament, Tarus sees the Tunisian championship as an opportunity to rewrite the team’s history.
“We are doing our best this season for us to qualify. Even if not for the Olympics, for the World Championship,” he said.
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