President William Ruto and Sports Cabinet Secretary Mvurya have rallied behind Kenya’s Malkia Strikers ahead of Friday’s CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship final against Egypt, praising the defending champions after their commanding 3-0 semi-final victory over Cameroon.

Ruto hailed the Malkia Strikers’ performance as a proud moment for the country, saying the team had once again demonstrated the winning spirit that has come to define the national side.

“We are proud of the outstanding performance of our Malkia Strikers at the 2026 Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship,” Ruto said. “The commanding 3-0 victory over Cameroon, which secured a place in the final, was a proud moment for our country.”

The President reminded the players that they carry the responsibility of defending the African title they won previously, adding that their latest performance had reaffirmed their status as continental champions.

“As the defending African champions, you have once again shown the winning spirit that has come to define Malkia Strikers,” Ruto added.

He assured the team of the country’s support as they prepare for the decisive encounter against Egypt.

“As you take this final step, know that the nation stands firmly behind you,” he said.

Mvurya also praised the Malkia Strikers following their emphatic victory over Cameroon, highlighting the role played by the home supporters who packed the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

“In a commanding display, our queens, the Malkia Strikers, swept aside Cameroon 3–0 (25–19, 25–20, 25–20) to storm into the FINAL!” Mvurya said.

The Cabinet Secretary described the passionate Kasarani crowd as the team’s “7th player”, crediting the supporters for providing the energy that pushed Kenya through a demanding semi-final.

That backing will be needed once again on Friday when the Malkia Strikers face Egypt in a final carrying enormous stakes.

The gold-medal showdown, scheduled for 6:00pm at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, brings together the only two unbeaten teams remaining in the championship. Kenya have reached the final without defeat, while Egypt have been particularly dominant, winning all six of their matches without dropping a single set.

Egypt booked their place in the final after sweeping Rwanda 3-0 in their semi-final. They won the opening set 25-5 and the second 25-17 before Rwanda mounted a spirited challenge in the third. Egypt eventually held their nerve to win the marathon set 32-30.

Kenya, meanwhile, advanced after sweeping Cameroon 3-0, winning 25-19, 25-20 and 25-20 under the Kasarani floodlights.

The final offers Kenya an opportunity to retain the African title on home soil, but the stakes extend beyond the championship trophy. The African champions will earn Africa’s sole women’s volleyball qualification ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Both Kenya and Egypt have already secured qualification for the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship by reaching the final. The third African ticket to the World Championship will go to the winner of the bronze-medal match between Cameroon and Rwanda.

For the Malkia Strikers, however, Friday is about completing the job. After an unbeaten campaign, a raucous home crowd and strong backing from the country’s leadership, Kenya now stands one victory away from retaining its continental crown and earning a place at the 2028 Olympics.

CAVB Women’s African Championship Final
Malkia Strikers vs Egypt
Friday | 6:00pm EAT
Kasarani Indoor Arena, Nairobi