Both sides arrive under pressure to replicate last season’s commanding runs, with the region preparing for another tightly contested edition.
KCB head coach Japheth Munala is confident his side can lift the title as a statement ahead of the new league season, which begins in mid-December.
“Training has been at full gear. We are ready to reclaim the cup, and this will be a step in the right direction for the league set to begin in two weeks,” he said.
KCB enter as clear favourites after their 3–1 victory over DCI in last year’s final.
Their technical bench again banks on the influence of last year’s MVP Terry Tata, whose reception accuracy, attacking consistency and composure were decisive in that triumph.
Setter Frida Boke will marshal distribution, while libero Lincy Jeruto fortifies the back court.
The tournament will feature 172 teams across senior elite, self-supporting, university, college and school categories.
Six Ugandan clubs and South Sudan’s Giant Tigers will add a regional dimension to the three-day event.
Uganda’s Nemo Stars and KAVC bring proven cross-border pedigree — Nemo entering from a strong domestic league finish, and KAVC returning after placing second at the NSSF Kampala Championship.
Their presence injects continental pace and height into the field, testing Kenyan sides with varied tempo.
On the men’s side, Equity Bank return as the team to beat after edging Kenya Ports Authority in a five-set thriller in last year’s final.
The bankers arrive with a more settled rotation and strengthened middle unit, their conditioning and cohesion marking them out as early favourites as challengers map their patterns.
KPA, last year’s runners-up, are expected to mount a forceful response, led by their experienced blockers and aggressive serving unit.
Much attention again falls on last year’s MVP Gregory Kiprono, whose all-around stability drove Equity to the title.
The outside hitter — admired for his height, clean serve-receive and late-set composure — is expected to anchor a refreshed attack as scouts track his progress ahead of the Premier League cycle.
Tournament patron Kipchumba Karori, whose office supports grassroots sports development, says the event retains its dual mandate of elite competition and talent expansion.
This year’s edition has drawn 64 self-supporting and Mashinani teams, a record, organisers say underscores the growing pipeline feeding Kenyan volleyball from the community level upward.
Coordinator Paul Bitok noted that previous editions have produced numerous professional players, and expects heightened scouting across the grassroots, university and school brackets.
The self-supporting category continues to broaden the tournament’s base, with 36 men’s sides from counties including Kericho, Kakamega, Nandi, Kilifi, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu competing for visibility and pride. Five women’s community teams — Kipkenyo, Starlet Nandi, Kipkaren Queens, Busia Divas and Sinyereri — will test themselves against higher-tier opposition.
Bitok said his team is focused on ensuring optimum facilities, scheduling and safety as early pool matches shape the path to the quarter-finals and beyond.
