Kenya’s national women’s volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, have made a heartfelt plea to President William Ruto to intervene as they face serious financial challenges and unfulfilled promises from the federation ahead of the World Championships.
The team has been in a high-intensity training camp in Vietnam, working tirelessly in preparation for the global competition set to take place from August 22 to September 7 in Thailand. However, behind the scenes, the players have endured numerous struggles that threaten to derail their campaign.
Captain Meldina Sande’s Call to the President
Speaking on behalf of her teammates, captain Meldina Sande directly appealed to President Ruto to extend the same support he has shown to the Harambee Stars. She reminded the head of state that the volleyball team also represents the country with pride and deserves similar recognition and motivation.
“Mr. President, we are also your children; motivate us. We came here with a target, and we don’t want to lose it. We need something so that we can achieve what we came here to do. We are suffering and that’s why we are making this kind of video,” she said.
Pamela Adhiambo on Broken Promises
Her teammate, Pamela Adhiambo, highlighted the frustrations the squad has faced in their preparations. The initial non-residential camp began with 29 players, who received allowances for the first three weeks. But after the squad was trimmed to 20, funding was cut back, and residential training was delayed due to lack of funds.
Even when the camp was eventually reduced to 16 players and partially supported by sponsors, players continued to face delays in allowances and poor logistical arrangements.
“Every time we asked for something, we were told, ‘Tomorrow.’ We kept waiting for this tomorrow that never came,” Adhiambo said.
Playing Without Basic Support
Adding to their frustrations, the Malkia Strikers revealed that they travelled to Thailand without official training kits or playing jerseys from the federation. This has raised further questions about how sponsorship funds and government allocations are being managed.
Despite the hardships, the team remains committed to competing and representing Kenya on the world stage. As they prepare to face Germany in their opening match, their message is clear: they are determined to fight for the country, but they need genuine support rather than empty promises.
