As Kenya’s national women’s volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, prepare to take on Germany at the FIVB Women’s World Championship in Thailand on Saturday, August 23, 2025, their focus is split between the court and the welfare of their families back home.
The players have revealed that promised allowances to cover travel and support their loved ones during the tournament have not yet been paid, leaving them in great distress.
In a video circulating online, the Strikers shared their anxieties, explaining that the lack of financial support has left them worried about their families’ welfare. “It’s hard to give your best on the court when your mind is back home, wondering if your children have food or if your landlord will lock the door,” one player said.
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According to sources close to the team, the players have not received their training and travel allowances, despite assurances from the Ministry of Sports.
The Ministry of Sports had pledged to disburse allowances before the team’s departure for Thailand, following a meeting with Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya. However, players allege that their coach stopped them from raising the issue directly with the minister.
“We were promised our allowances would be paid before we left, but it never happened,” a team member said. “We’re told the ministry is still processing the funds.”
Malkia Strikers, celebrated for their multiple African championship titles and resilience in qualifying for global tournaments, now face a familiar pattern of administrative neglect.
The team’s struggles began before their departure from Kenya. During preparations, the players were reportedly locked out of their training camp due to funding shortages, forcing them to raise money independently from private sponsors.
The Volleyball Kenya Federation (VKF) initially informed the team that there was no money available, and the squad was cut from 20 to 16 players.
Their plight contrasts sharply with the government’s recent focus on sports, including President William Ruto’s allocation of millions in rewards for the Harambee Stars at the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).
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