KCB crowned women’s Kenya Cup champions, GSU clinch men’s title

KCB women’s volleyball team and GSU men’s team were crowned champions of the inaugural Kenya Cup tournament after commanding performances in their respective finals held on Sunday at the Moi International Sports Centre Indoor Arena in Kasarani, Nairobi.

KCB sealed their title with a straight sets win over Kenya Pipeline (25-16, 25-19, 25-22), avenging their National League playoff semifinal loss in Mombasa last May. The dominant victory handed the bankers their first Kenya Cup title and confirmed their intent to reclaim domestic supremacy.

KCB’s setter Esther Mutinda, who recently returned to the squad after a season away on personal commitments, was instrumental in the victory and was later named Best Setter of the tournament. Mutinda, who was the 2023 MVP, expressed joy at the team’s performance.

“I’m really happy that we won. It’s special to come back and help the team lift the Kenya Cup. Now our focus shifts to reclaiming the KVF League title,” said Mutinda.

In the men’s final, reigning league champions GSU rallied from two sets down to edge out a resilient Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) side in a five-set thriller. 

KDF had taken the opening two sets 25-22 and 26-24, but GSU responded by claiming the third set 26-24, and dominated the fourth set 25-17 to force a decider. In the tense fifth set, GSU held their nerve to win it 15-12 and complete a memorable comeback.

The win secured a domestic double for GSU, who had already clinched a record-extending 16th league title last month.

GSU assistant coach David Kirwa Kimei praised his players for their resilience and fighting spirit.

“We are proud of this win. The team showed real endurance and the will to fight, even when things looked tough."

“Now it's time to go back to the drawing board and prepare for next season. Everyone will be coming for us, and we must be ready.”

In the women’s third-place playoff, Kenya Prisons put on a commanding display to beat the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-19), avenging their 3-2 loss to DCI during the National League playoff semifinals in Mombasa. The win saw Prisons settle for bronze while DCI finished fourth.

On the men’s side, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) recovered from Saturday’s narrow 3-2 defeat to KDF to beat Kenya Prisons 3-1 (27-25, 25-16, 36-38, 25-19) and claim third place. Prisons, who also finished fourth in the league playoffs, once again missed out on a podium finish.