A Rocky Start for the Reigning Champions

The opening leg of the 2025-2026 Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men’s National League produced a series of shocking results at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, with defending champions General Service Unit (GSU) suffering two consecutive defeats. This unexpected start leaves the perennial powerhouse in 11th place with a single point, raising early questions about their title defence.

GSU's troubles began on Thursday, November 6, with a stunning 3-2 loss to the newly-promoted Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU). The champions lost a tightly contested five-set thriller with scores of 21-25, 25-22, 25-21, 24-26, and 15-5. Their woes were compounded on Sunday, November 9, when they were defeated in straight sets by Trailblazers Volleyball Club (25-21, 25-13, 25-22). Reports suggest GSU's performance was hampered by the absence of key players who recently moved to other clubs.

Prisons and Newcomers Capitalise

In stark contrast to GSU's faltering start, former champions Kenya Prisons have laid down an early marker, surging to the top of the league standings. The warders secured a maximum of 12 points from their opening four matches, dropping only a single set in a 3-1 victory over Equity Bank. Their dominant performance signals a strong intention to reclaim the title they last won before the 2024/2025 season.

The opening weekend was also notable for the impressive performances of newly-promoted teams, who showed they are ready to compete at the highest level. Chema Volleyball Club, making their top-flight debut, recorded convincing victories to remain unbeaten and sit third on the table with nine points. The Juja-based club, which heavily recruited in the off-season including from GSU, defeated National Youth Service (NYS) 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-13) and also beat Administration Police (AP) Kenya in straight sets.

A Weekend of Upsets and Surprises

The theme of unpredictability extended beyond GSU's losses. Last season's runners-up, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), also suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to another newcomer, Eldoret Water and Sanitation (Eldowas), on Sunday, November 9. Eldowas bounced back from three previous losses to clinch the thrilling five-setter 19-25, 29-27, 28-26, 11-25, 15-11. This victory was a significant milestone for the Eldoret-based team in their first top-flight season.

KAPU, after their historic win against GSU, continued their strong start by defeating NYS 3-1, showcasing their potential as serious contenders. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) also had a strong, unbeaten start to their campaign. These results from the opening leg, which concluded on Sunday, November 9, suggest that the race for the 2025-2026 KVF Men's National League title will be fiercely competitive and far from a two-horse race, promising an exciting season for Kenyan volleyball enthusiasts.