Reigning Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men's National League champions, the General Service Unit (GSU), suffered a second consecutive defeat on the opening weekend of the 2025/2026 season, falling in straight sets to Trailblazers at the Kasarani Indoor Gymnasium on Sunday, November 9, 2025. The result compounds a surprisingly poor start for the perennial powerhouse, raising questions about their readiness to defend the title they reclaimed last season.

Trailblazers secured the victory with set scores of 25-21, 25-13, and 25-22. This loss followed a stunning 3-2 upset on Thursday, November 6, at the hands of the newly-promoted Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU). In that encounter, the paramilitary side lost a tightly contested five-set thriller (21-25, 25-22, 25-21, 24-26, 15-5), a result that sent shockwaves through the Kenyan volleyball community on the first day of the new season.

A Weekend of Upsets

The opening leg of the national league was characterized by several surprising results. Beyond GSU's troubles, last season's runners-up, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), were also defeated 3-2 by another newly promoted side, Eldowas, on Sunday. These outcomes suggest a potentially more competitive and unpredictable season ahead, a departure from previous years often dominated by established teams like GSU and KPA.

The back-to-back losses leave GSU, coached by Gideon Tarus, in an unfamiliar position, reportedly in 11th place with only one point from their opening two matches. The team's performance was reportedly hampered by the absence of key players, including outside hitter Nicholas Matui, setter Mathias Kemboi, and libero Hudson Kipchumba, all of whom were instrumental in their championship run last season.

Challengers Emerge

In contrast to GSU's faltering start, several teams have emerged as early pacesetters. KAPU built on their historic win over the champions by defeating the National Youth Service (NYS) 3-1 on Saturday, November 8. Teams like the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and former champions Kenya Prisons also started their campaigns strongly, remaining unbeaten in the opening fixtures. Newcomers Chema Volleyball Club also made a strong statement with convincing wins, signaling their intent to compete at the top level.

Following their victory over GSU, KAPU head coach Luke Makuto credited his team's defensive strategy. "GSU is a good team and they have quality but we showed grit today. Our defence worked as per my expectations because we always train to defend well," he stated after the opening day upset.

Implications for the Season

While it is still early in the season, the champions' vulnerability has been laid bare. The losses highlight the growing strength of other teams in the league, including newly promoted sides who are proving they can challenge the established order. For GSU, the task ahead is to regroup and rediscover the form that saw them dominate the 2024/2025 season. Their ability to bounce back in the upcoming league legs will be a key storyline to watch.

The league's opening weekend has provided a compelling narrative of unpredictability and rising competition. With several teams showing formidable form, the race for the 2025/2026 KVF Men's National League title appears to be wide open, promising an exciting season for Kenyan volleyball fans.