Ogutu joins KPA from Chema ahead of new season

Two international clubs wanted his services, but the in-form Kenya men’s volleyball ace chose to cross over from Chema Volleyball Club to KPA ahead of the upcoming season. 

Gisagara Club from Rwanda and a club from Saudi Arabia were on Ogutu's radar, but KPA presented the best deal.

Ogutu joined the dockers in 2022 and left for Kenya Forest Service for a short stint in 2024 before joining Chema for the 2025/2026 season.

Ahead of the 2026/2027 Kenya Volleyball Federation National League, rescheduled to start on November 19-22 in Nairobi, Ogutu will join Wafalme Stars team mates middle blocker Brian Kamonde, opposite hitter Peter Kamara  and outside hitter Dennis Omolo as they seek to defend the League title.

Ogutu said he decided to choose KPA because of the good offer they had given him.

“KPA, Gisagara and another club from Saudi Arabia wanted my services but I decided to settle on KPA because they had a better offer than the international clubs'.  The international clubs' offers were not promising, perhaps because this was my first time seeking professional stints, but I still have ambitions to turn professional in future.

"I have seven more years at my disposal.Besides, at KPA I’m destined to get employed and chase my dreams besides just playing volleyball,” said Ogutu, 29.

The league was scheduled to serve off on November 14-15 but was rescheduled due to the unavailability of an indoor playing facility.

Ogutu, a graduate from Kisii University in Applied Mathematics said key goal will be to help KPA retain the National League title and better the results at the next year’s African Clubs Championship.

“My credit goes to Chema founder and CEO  Charles Wanyiri for bringing me on board during the 2025/2026 season when KFS folded up. I owe him and I will always be indebted to him. 

“I’m thankful for the opportunity he gave me to play for the club and I want to wish him and the club at large the very best in the seasons to come knowing very well what he expected of us when Chema qualified for the National League from Division Two,” observed the middle blocker who stands at 195cm with a weight of 92kg.

“The deal was to qualify for the African Clubs Championship in the first time of asking which we did and I hope that the players will carry on with the mantle and even go for better results. Also, my move to the coastal side will in a way give young players an opportunity to showcase their prowess, he added.

"But all in all, I want to become a better player and I’m excited to return to my former club. Let’s just see what the future holds,” concluded the former Butula High School player from Busia County.

KPA will start their title defense with a clash against newly promoted Bunge Volleyball Club and Simlaw Seed.

Simlaw and Bunge were promoted to the top tier from the lower tier this season after finishing in the top two positions.

Report by Agnes Makhandia