Kalesirwa Volleyball team empowering Morans in Oloitoktok
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Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 25.06.24. | 21:28
The team has become a platform for addressing broader social issues such as school dropouts and early pregnancies
Oloitoktok Town is located in the center of Kajiado County, close to the scenic slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Traditionally, this region is known for its Maasai morans—young warriors renowned for their bravery and cultural heritage. These warriors have long been celebrated for their prowess in sports that align with their nomadic lifestyle and rich traditions like running.
However, a remarkable transformation is challenging the long-held narrative of sports in Oloitoktok.
The catalyst for this change is the Kalesirwa Volleyball Team.
Founded in 2018, the team has rapidly grown into a beacon of hope and progress, not only volleyball lovers, but for the entire community.
Its origins are humble, born from the vision of a local teacher named Solomon Matungei, who saw an opportunity to channel the boundless energy and strength of the morans into a new, collective endeavor.
Having grown in the area, Matungei’s aim was not only to nurture the talents of young people, but also address the growing societal norms such as school dropouts and early pregnancies.
His idea was initially met with skepticism.
Volleyball was not a common sport in the region, and many questioned its viability but he remained undeterred.
He began by organizing informal matches, teaching the basics of the game to curious morans who had never touched a volleyball before. His passion was contagious, and slowly but surely, interest grew.
“I started this team because the boys in this neighborhood have the talent and I wanted to make them busy to avoid social vices. We were around six people when we started. It has not been easy. We have had hiccups because of the culture, and lack of finances. But as we progress, all schools in this area have adopted volleyball because of us,” he told Mozzart Sport.
In 2019, the team took on their biggest stage; the Governor’s Cup where they emerged champions of Kajiado South. That win saw them proceed to the county level where they finished fourth. Their hard work paid off as they received merchandise and balls from Governor Ole Lenku.
That victory was celebrated across Oloitoktok Town, and it attracted officials from the Kenya Prisons team who came in and offered a full scholarship to two of their boys; Maurice Anyika and Isaiah Kosei. The two study at Isinya Boys High School in Kajiado.
That triumph saw the team’s roster and reputation grow. Young men flocked to join, eager to be part of something bigger than themselves.
The team has become a platform for addressing broader social issues.
“The community was harsh to the kids who were playing. But as time goes by, they are slowly accepting it. There is a big behavioral change. The youths playing here hardly engage in drug abuse. They also spread the gospel to others to avoid engaging in such vices. Unity, discipline, and how we carry ourselves has improved,” Matungei reflected.
He aims to attract financiers and sponsors to enable the team to register in a local league, and channel more talents to the competitive volleyball world. They also aim at training daily, to further nurture their skills.
“We train once a week on Saturday because during the week, they are held up with taking care of livestock. We have not officially registered as a club because of the financial constraints but we are confident that we will grow. In future, I hope we will be one of the best teams in the country. I am confident we will compete in a national league,” the optimistic coach said.
The team’s success has inspired a ripple effect throughout Kajiado County. Other villages have started forming their own volleyball teams, eager to replicate the transformative impact.
The team’s assistant coach Jeremiah Molinka was also proud of the steps made so far, noting that they could do much better if given the necessary support. Molinka is also a product of the team, having grown and coached by Matungei.
“He coached me from a young age and nurtured me. I have learned discipline, dedication, and support. This far, I have learned that anything is possible. You can start from somewhere and become somebody in this life. I love officiating. One day, God willing, I would love to officiate a Malkia Strikers match,” Molinka said.
On his side, the team’s captain Ian Moirana who also played for University of Nairobi (UoN) Volleyball Team noted that the fruits of the team are visible within the community. He was pleased with the progress.
“We are punching above weight and I am proud. We have challenges like drought. When it is very dry, we cannot play because we have to look for water and pasture for our animals. We thank Matungei because he is dedicated to helping us. It has been instrumental in helping us avoid social vices brought about by being idle. I am hopeful that one day, this team will channel players to the national team,” he concluded.
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