Masibo, Wekesa dropped as KVF names jinal Junior Wafalme Stars squad

The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has announced the final Junior Wafalme Stars squad for the upcoming 2025 African Nations U-20 Men’s Volleyball Championship, set for September 11-22, 2025, in Cairo, Egypt.

Kenya Prisons duo Reagan Otieno and Kevin Soita highlight the 12-member squad, which also features Trail Blazers fast-rising opposite hitter Edwin Kipchirchir.

Otieno and Soita have done well in stepping into the shoes of former league MVP Dennis Esokon and Elphas Makuto, who left for their professional stints in Rwanda.

Head coach Luke Makuto has also included Cheptil’s trio Bernard Kipchumba, Bethwel Kiplagat, and Justus Kibet, who were instrumental in leading the Rift Valley volleyball powerhouse in clinching East Africa’s school games volleyball title.

The Kenya Air Force Police Unit’s head coach has also included Emmanuel Kiptoo, Steven Barrack, and Dickson Kiplagat, who were regulars under him in last year’s league campaign.

Kenya Air Force duo Lewis Masibo and Chrispus Wekesa, GSU’s Asbel Kirwa, and Namwela Boys’ Wesley Kirui have been dropped from the final squad.

The team has been training at the Nyayo National Stadium’s Gymnasium for a week now with 22 players, previously selected in the provisional squad, before it was trimmed down to 16 on Friday, and now 12.

Assistant coach Gideon Njine, who also coaches the Ruthimitu Mixed Secondary School volleyball team, believes the squad is in good shape to prove its mettle and win the title.

“The selection for the team has been good. We hope that the boys will be confident on the court. We shall give them morale and ensure they play on their topmost level so that we can bring the title home,” Njine told Citizen Digital.

“We had a tough outing last season because of poor preparations and interference from school games, but this time we have had proper preparations for the championship. We believe that we can qualify for the U-21 world championship,” added Njine.

If Junior Wafalme Stars book their final slot in the competition, they will have qualified for the 2028 U-21 World championships.

The team will leave for Cairo on Wednesday, 10th September 2025.

‎Libero

Stephen Barack- KAPU

Setters

Kelvin Soita- Kenya Prisons

Justus Kibet- Cheptil Secondary School

Middle Blockers

Reagan Otieno- Kenya Prisons

Benard Kipchumba- Cheptil Secondary School

Felix Ogembo- Malava Boys

Justin Irungu- Zetech University

Outside Hitters

Emmanuel Kiptoo- KAPU

‎Dickson Kiplagat- KAPU

Bethwel Kiplagat- Cheptil Secondary School

Opposite Players

Abraham Kipkemboi- AP Kenya

‎Edwin Kipchichir- Trailblazers

‎Technical Bench

‎1. Head Coach – Luke Makuto

‎2. Assistant Coach – Gideon Njine

‎3. Team Manager – Wachira Gatuiria

‎4. Head of Delegation – Alfred Chedotum

‎5. Physiotherapist – Timothy Kimutai