Esther Nafula has taken her first significant step towards realising her Malkia Strikers ambition after breaking into the Soweto Academy team and making her KSSSA national games debut in Kiambu County.
The 16-year-old centre was part of the Soweto side that finished runners-up after losing to Kesogon Secondary School in the final, giving the Form Three student her first taste of the country’s premier school-level competition.
Nafula’s emergence is the latest product of KCB Foundation’s investment in school volleyball, with the bank using institutions such as Soweto Academy to identify and nurture talent for the next level.
A scholar at Soweto, Nafula joined the school team in Form Three after spending two years learning the game alongside more established players, including Alphine Jepleting.
Her breakthrough came when coach Japheth Munala handed her a place in the team, accelerating her development and giving her an opportunity to compete at the highest school level.
“I am grateful to coach Munala for believing in me and giving me the platform to participate in the school games. I really want to play under him at KCB. I will keep working on myself and my game to ensure that I actualise my dream,” Nafula said.
The centre has since developed into a player noted for her blocking, power and ability to read the game. Her performance at the KSSSA games has further strengthened an ambition she has held since taking up volleyball — playing for Malkia Strikers.
Nafula, who comes from Bokoli in Bungoma County, draws inspiration from KCB player Mildred Cherop, who has represented Kenya and played abroad. “Mildred Cherop is my role model. I love the fact that she has played abroad and represented the country. My dream is to play for Malkia Strikers, and I hope I will achieve it soon,” she said.
Her next test comes immediately as she joins Soweto Academy for the FEASSSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, which run from August 12 to 23. After missing out on KSSSA gold, Nafula says Soweto are determined to go one better in Tanzania.
“We want to reach the final and win the title,” she said. Her progress also fits into KCB’s established school-to-club pathway. Several players from Kwanthanze, Kesogon and Soweto Academy have progressed to the KCB women’s team, including Cherop, Josephine Wafula and Juliana Namutira from Soweto. For Nafula, the pathway is now clear: establish herself at school level, earn a place at club level and eventually break into the national team.
