KVF Division Two gets play-off format

Kenyan volleyball is set for a new chapter after the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) confirmed that the 2025/2026 men’s Division Two league will, for the first time, be decided through play-offs.

The top four sides at the end of the regular season will now battle it out for promotion slots in a move aimed at raising competitiveness and aligning the lower tier with modern league standards.

The landmark decision was reached during KVF’s technical meeting held at Nyayo National Stadium’s Media Centre in Nairobi, attended by team managers, coaches, and federation executives.

Leading the discussions were President Charles Nyaberi, Deputy President Paul Bitok, Secretary General Ismail Chege, Treasurer Benard Musumba, and Sports Organising Secretary John Oronje.

Under the new system, the best two teams from the Division Two play-offs will secure promotion to the National League, while the bottom two from the top tier will drop down.

 The National League season will begin on November 6–9 for men and November 13–16 for women. Matches will be hosted at the Nyayo gymnasium and Kasarani’s Moi International Sports Centre indoor arena.

The league play-off quarterfinals will shift to Mombasa County, with women’s matches to be staged at Aga Khan grounds and the men’s fixtures at Makande Hall.

In another rule change, any team missing two matches in one leg will be disqualified — a departure from the previous requirement of missing two consecutive legs. Oronje confirmed that the full schedule will be unveiled on October 19.

The National League will feature 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams this season. Men’s heavyweights such as Kenya Prisons, KPA, Trailblazers, KDF, GSU, and Equity Bank are among those confirmed, while the women’s competition welcomes seasoned sides like Kenya Pipeline, KCB, and KDF alongside debutants A-Plus Motors.

KVF President Nyaberi hailed the growth of the league and welcomed new teams, while Deputy President Bitok announced that the second edition of the Kenya Cup draws will take place on January 9.

Clubs were also cautioned which are yet to clear last season’s fees, including Kenya Forest Service and Western Prisons, will not be considered for the new campaign unless they settle dues within two weeks.

With Division Two outfits such as Beast, Kenyatta University, and JKUAT now chasing promotion, the stage is set for one of the most competitive volleyball seasons in recent memory.

2025/2026 Volleyball Season Teams Draw

MEN

Kenya prisons

KPA

trailblazers

Kenya Defence Forces

KAPU

Administration Police of Kenya

Equity Bank

General Service Unit

Kenya Army

Chema

National Youth Service

Rift valley Prisons

Eldowas

WOMEN'S TEAMS

Kenya Pipeline

Kenya Army

Kenya Defence Forces

Post Bank

Kenya Prisons

KCB Women’s Volleyball Team

Directorate of Criminal Investigations

A-plus Motors

Division Two drawn teams

Beast

KAFU

Simlaw

Kenya Navvy

Engineers

Prisons Mombasa

Kenyatta University

Tujijenge

Microspykers