Makueni Hosts National Paravolley Trials As Kenya Begins Road To 2026 World Championship

By Andrew Mbuva.

Makueni County has become the centre of national sporting attention as it hosts the Kenya Paravolley (sitting volleyball) national trials at Makueni Girls High School in Wote. 

The three-day event has drawn teams from 12 counties—Makueni, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Siaya, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru, Vihiga, Migori, Kisumu, Nairobi and Bungoma.

The trials will be used to select the Kenyan men’s and women’s national teams that will represent the country at the 2026 International Paravolleyball Championships in China, marking a crucial step on the pathway to the Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

In the opening match, hosts Makueni’s men’s team cruised past Mombasa with a 3–0 clean sweep, igniting local excitement and raising hopes that the county will contribute a strong squad to the national side.

Officiating the opening ceremony on Thursday, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni reaffirmed Makueni’s commitment to inclusive sports.

“This tournament reflects Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision of making Makueni a county where persons with disabilities can thrive. We are fully committed to supporting talent, championing inclusivity, and providing platforms for persons with disabilities to excel,” he said.

The county government has gone a step further by placing the Makueni Paravolley team in a seven-day residential camp, fully funded as part of preparations for the trials.

Makueni Disability Network chairperson and Secretary General of Paravolley Kenya, Justus Katumo, welcomed the county’s support and described the event as a landmark moment for disability sports in Kenya.

“We have a great event happening here at Makueni Girls School where we have our national trials and team selection. The federation will be choosing two teams—men and women—for national and international assignments beginning next year,” Katumo said.

He emphasized the significance of the selection process, noting that the teams formed in Makueni will carry the nation’s hopes on the global stage.

“The team we are selecting will participate in the China 2026 World Championship for Paravolley Sitting Volleyball. We want a team capable of qualifying for the pathway to the Los Angeles Paralympic Games,” he added.

Katumo described sitting volleyball as an exciting and highly competitive team sport played by persons with disabilities while seated on the court.

He appealed to the public to attend the tournament and experience the thrill of paravolley firsthand.

 “We want to invite people who have never watched these paragames to come, see, and appreciate the incredible talent. It will be three days of very entertaining action like never before,” he said.

Katumo also extended gratitude to the county leadership for their continued support.

“The county government has been very supportive. We are grateful to His Excellency Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who has great passion for persons with disabilities. Eng. Kyoni has also given us a forum where we can address our issues. We feel supported, we feel loved, and everything is warm,” he said.

With teams battling for national recognition and a ticket to the world stage, Makueni is bracing for an electrifying weekend of competition as the year draws to a close.