In-form Josephine Kataa set to join champions Kenya Pipeline

After an impressive performance at the recently concluded 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship in Nairobi, Kenya women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers libero Josphine Kataa is on the verge of signing for National League champions Kenya Pipeline.

Kataa was part of the Malkia Strikers team that finished second behind eventual winners Egypt during the African Championship.

The result saw Kenya miss out on qualification to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games but still qualified for next year’s FIVB World Cup to be co-hosted in the United States of America and Canada.

Kataa featured for KCB Women’s Volleyball Team during last season’s Kenya Volleyball Federation National League where they finished third.

The 19-year-old began training with the Oilers on Tuesday at their backyard ahead of the new season that is likely to start next month.

A source close to Kataa said that the player was likely to sign a contract with Pipeline by the end of this week.

“She is excited about the move to Pipeline. She already began  training with them (Pipeline) on Tuesday and it’s just a matter of time before she puts pen on paper. It’s sad that KCB didn’t show commitment after the player attended training session last Monday, and the player had no choice but to make a move to where she felt she was needed the most,” said the source.

Kataa, a former Kwanthanze Secondary School player was drafted in the Malkia Strikers provisional squad to the African Championship for the first of asking and went ahead to make the final cut.

While she was picked alongside Sharon”Shakakhola” Arusei in the libero department, she ended up being the first-choice libero in the entire competition thus attracting interest across local clubs.

At Pipeline, Kataa who is 168cm tall, will compete for a starting role against Arusei and Betty Sifuna. She is going to mount the competition against Arusei fresh from being awarded the best libero accolade during the Kenya Cup this year at Kasarani indoor arena.

Only time will tell if experienced libero Cellestine Nyongesa will be drafted in the Pipeline team roster for the 2026/2027 season having been sidelined with a hand injury she picked during this year’s African Clubs Championship in Egypt.