Year-in-Review: Chema’s rise in volleyball – Exclusive One on One with the CEO Mr. Mathenge

Chema Volleyball Club has injected fresh energy into the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) men’s league this season. Far from being an ordinary newcomer, the club is already living up to the Swahili saying “Chema chajiuza…”, quietly but confidently revitalizing the local volleyball scene.

Much like Nairobi City Thunder’s impact in basketball, Chema are fast establishing themselves as a formidable force in men’s volleyball.

After earning promotion to the top tier last season as Division II champions, few expected the Juja-based side to make such immediate noise.

But Chema signaled their intent early by assembling an experienced squad featuring seasoned middle blocker Levis Ogutu from Kenya Forest Services, alongside Leister Mudibo, Hudson Kipchumba, Stephen Otieno, Eugene Okello, Bethoven Okombo, Wesley Limo and attacker Mathias Kemboi, who has since joined Kenya Defense Forces.

Founded in 2022 by Chema Steel and Hardware Chairman Charles Mathenge, the club has quickly built a reputation through strong league performances and impressive outings in regional tournaments.

Under head coach Jeremiah “Madeni” Mukopi, Chema have already claimed silver medals at the Kipchumba Karori and Genocide Memorial tournaments, and made a perfect start to their KVF men’s league campaign with three wins from three matches.

Mukopi is clear about the ambition: Chema are not in the league to make up numbers. The target is the title, a vision shared by Mathenge, whose backing has been central to the club’s rapid rise.

I caught up with Mathenge for an exclusive interview, where he shared insights into Chema’s journey, ambition and long-term vision.

Mathenge: Chema started as a volleyball team which played the game to pass time. As time went by, we found players who were motivated and that’s how we climbed the ladder until we earned the top tier promotion.

Otenga: What was the motivation behind founding Chema?

Mathenge: Previously, we didn’t have a private team that could accommodate locally based players. We used to play in Githurai, Juja, Huruma which gained us prominence and pushed us forward.

Otenga: You earned top tier’s promotion and made top signings that shook the volleyball scene. What were you targeting when you made those signings?

Mathenge: Our target was aiming for the league title. We didn’t want to be just pushovers in the league.

Otenga: What makes Chema stand above other teams?

Mathenge: Chema players play full time volleyball. That was always my vision, to show people that you can play professional volleyball in the country and earn from it just like any other profession.

Otenga: What motivates you to pump such huge money into Chema Volleyball Club?

Mathenge: Chema Steels has always wanted to give back to the society and have that community outreach and one way was through sports and we dived in Volleyball. It is one way of making sure we create relationships between workers and the community.

Otenga: With Chema bringing a new taste to the league that is dominated by State Corporations, which message are you sending to stakeholders and volleyball lovers?

Mathenge: You can actually start a team as a private entity, pump resources, employ players and get the desired results. It is not a must for a player to join the forces so that they can achieve their dream. It should be a wakeup call to everyone for the growth of the game.

Otenga: A perfect start to the league, are you clearly sending the message of contesting for the title.

Mathenge: Yes, we are eying the title this season. We have a strong technical bench which I believe will help us secure the title with the kind of players we have and we fully support them in their quest for the title.

Otenga: Where do we see Chema in the next few years?

Mathenge: We will be seeing Chema as a success story. We are not just aiming at being local champions but regional, continental and world champions. I believe it is achievable with proper support and planning. I believe we are going to surpass the heights of Nairobi City Thunder; they have demonstrated that it is doable.

Otenga: What is your goal in the volleyball scene in the country?

Mathenge: First, I want to make volleyball a professional sport that you can play full time and earn from it.

Second, I want to raise the volleyball standards of volleyball in the country. We want to be admired as a country through volleyball, that people can speak about us because of volleyball.

Mr. Mathenge has dared to dream and he believes sponsors will also come on board to help Chema Steels and Hardware company give Chema the necessary support to actualize the dream.

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, there’s so much in store for Chema and as a volleyball lover and writer, my pen is itching to write their successful story.