On August 15, Kenya women’s volleyball coach Geoffrey Omondi handed the country’s youngest player, Milka Akinyi, a perfect birthday gift when the coach named the final squad of 14 players ahead of the African Nations Volleyball Championships scheduled for August 15 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

A week earlier, coach Omondi had whittled down his preliminary squad of 28 to 20, and Akinyi, a Form Four student at St Cecilia Aluor Girls High School in Siaya County, made the squad. The Kenya Under-20 international was among six outside hitters in Team Kenya camp along with professional players, skipper Meldinah Sande and Veronicah Adhiambo. Others were Jemimah Siang’u, Daisy Leting and Juliana Namutira.

But Omondi needed only four outside hitters and Akinyi, who had just turned 19, again made the cut alongside Sande, Adhiambo and Leting. Now she is on her way to representing Kenya at Africa’s premier national team volleyball tournament on home soil.

“I was surprised to have made the team, considering the big names I was competing against for the same position. It shows that I have some qualities and talent that can make the difference in the team,” Akinyi says of her inclusion in the team. “It is yet to time to sink in...I thank national team selectors for their confidence in me.”

Omondi, who watched Akinyi play for the first time last year with Kenya Defence Forces, describes the towering attacker from Seme in Kisumu County as a “gem with rare volleyball qualities.”

Omondi says that Akinyi’s reach, jump and ball control are unique and phenomenal for a player her age.

“When I watched her play, she attacked at the highest point, and her height was unique at her position. I saw a good player, and I targeted her for the national team,” said Omondi. Omondi, who also coaches Kenya Pipeline, took Akinyi to the club so as to monitor her closely.

Read: Teen volleyball sensation Milka Akinyi calls the shots at Pipeline

Omondi says Akinyi is the tallest player in the national team at her position, making her a natural pick. She is 6’ 2” tall.

“You can get tall players but lacking in basics. What makes Akinyi more unique is that she has all these qualities, which work for her,” Omondi explained. To effectively compete with teams in Africa, Omondi says Kenya needs to scout for tall and talented players. Akinyi has played a pivotal role for Kenya Pipeline, helping the team win both the national league title and the Kenya Cup.

“She is courageous and fearless, especially during pressure games. I introduce her to the team at crucial moments, and she kills the games for us. She takes instructions fast and executes them perfectly. That makes it easier for any coach,” said Omondi.

Milka Akinyi

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

“When you have good and young players, you have no choice but to give them an opportunity to prove themselves,” Omondi said, describing Akinyi as a potential pick for top professional clubs in Europe and America.

“My dream is to get a university scholarship and play professionally in the United States of America one day,” Akinyi, who stands 6’2 tall and weighs 75kgs, observed.

But first, she hopes to help Kenya retain the African title on home soil, and to qualify for the world championship next year, and the 2028 Olympic Games.

Read: Secret to Kenyan girls’ big success in Africa

“There will always be pressure. We will be playing at home, and we need to be in control. The title has to remain in Kenya. Qualifying for the Olympics will mean the world to me,” said Akinyi.

She embraced volleyball as a Class Eight pupil at Orunga Primary School in Siaya in 2022, the same year she was picked to represent Nyanza region at the primary schools national games. Her team reached the semi-finals.

She joined Kesogon Secondary School in 2023 but transferred to Aluor Secondary in 2024, leading them to their first regional title. After playing in the national championships, she joined the Kenya Defence Forces team for six months. She left for Kenya Pipeline in August last year.

She was in the Kenyan team that won the 2025 Women’s Under-20 African Nations Championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon, emerging the best hitter. Akinyi was part of the Kenya Pipeline that sealed a record 15th national league title, beating Kenya Prisons in 2-1 series before edging out KCB in 3-1 sets to retain the Kenya Cup.

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