Year-in-Review: KCB ruled the roost locally but faltered in Africa

From retaining their local league title to faltering in Africa, KCB Women’s Volleyball Team have a mixed fortune for the year 2024.

The reigning Kenya Volleyball Federation women’s league champions blew away Kenya Prisons 3-0 in the final match of the three best of series finale to clinch their second successive title at Kasarani indoor Arena in June.

The Bankers had been shocked by the Wardresses 3-0 in the first leg before making a comeback in the second leg, leading to a tie-breaker which saw the bankers win on the same score line to defend their title.

Key to their title triumph was youngster Mariam Musa, who would later depart for local rivals Kenya Pipeline at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old who beat Meldina Sande and Pamela Adhiambo to the best outside hitter’s award was tasked to fill in the void of veteran Malkia Strikers Captain Mercy Moim, who largely remained out of KCB’s team for the majority of the season.

She did not disappoint, as she immaculately manned the court in the absence of the veteran Moim, earning praises from head coach Japheth Munala.

“She started the play-offs with low confidence against Kenya Army but she has since grown into a key player for the team. She is a player we are currently banking on as Mercy Moim remains out,” noted Munala at the time.

The Bankers were one of the three Kenyan female representatives at the continental stage. The Bankers who had been seen as a hot cake failed to deliver, and perhaps one would argue they missed veteran Malkia Strikers former captain Mercy Moim.

The talented young squad got everything right from the time the championship served off but fell off when it mattered most, and it was African giants Zamalek who ended their gold medal hopes.

The bankers had a perfect start, spanking the hosts 25-22 in the first set, but the Egyptian based side reclaimed their mojo to stun the local champions 3-1 in a thrilling semi-final clash.

They would later meet their nemesis Pipeline in the play-offs who thumped them 3-1 to miss out in the medal bracket.

However, KCB left Cairo Egypt with something in the bag as right attacker Deborah Jesang who had been tasked to fill in the void left by Mercy Moim won the best outside hitter of the championship.

2024 will be a year to forget for Malkia Striker’s longest serving player and former captain Mercy Moim. From losing her husband to sitting out of KCB and Malkia Strikers’ matches due to personal reasons, Moim had to endure all that and she’s slowly getting back to her best this season.

Arguably, the most important player for the Bankers, Moim’s absence was felt at the African Club championships where experience was needed.

Despite youngster Deborah Jesang standing in her role and even taking home an award in the position, Moim’s court management was vastly missed.

“No one even in the national team mans the court the way Moim does. She controls the court, receives the ball, defends attacks, attacks and guides the young players on the court. The role she played in the team is huge,” said Munala.

The 35-year’s old right attacker has been one of the most dependable players at KCB and the management is already looking for her successor even as she works on regaining her form.

A torrid start to new season and the rise of Boke and Tata

KCB have had a torrid start of the 2024/2025 season, bagging a single win from three matches they played.

The Bankers lost to rivals Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons who exposed their weaknesses in the backcourt.

Their torrid start was attributed to the departure of Mariam Musa and setter Esther Mutinda who proceeded to maternity leave.

However, the Bankers have found the solution to their weaknesses by recruiting setter Farida Boke and Merlin Terry Tata from Kwathanze secondary School.

Fresh from completing their secondary education, Boke, 19 and Tata, 18 shone at Kipchumba Karori tournament, helping the Bankers clinch the title while bagging individual awards.

Boke who won the Most Valuable Player (MWP) in the nationals of the Kenya Secondary School games won the best setter while Tata won the MVP.

KCB’s technical director Paul Bitok praised the youngsters, tipping them to shine in the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league.

“Farida (Boke) is the next (Janet) Wanja and (Jane) Wacu,” said Bitok, who is also the KVF deputy president.

“She has an immense talent. It's surprising to see something like that.”

Tata already made a mark last year after helping KCB ascend to the league title while she was only in Form Three. Her confidence was a joy to watch, and she has been touted as one of the talented emerging attackers the country has ever produced.

“We’ve had problems on the left, right and the centre of the court. We moved in with speed to acquire Boke and Tata who have immense talent. It is very rare for a player who just came from school, trained for a few days and bagged individual awards,” said Bitok.

KCB will be relying on the two youngsters to propel them to defend their title with Kenya Prisons and bitter rivals Kenya Pipeline looking to dethrone them.