Kenyan MPs win volleyball title

Kenyan Parliament volleyball head coach Gideon Chenje is carried shoulder high by his players and supporters as they celebrate at the end of their match against Tanzania Parliament as the 7th edition of the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary games entered its fourth day at the KPA Makande GYM, December 07, 2016. Kenya won 2-0. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD0.

Kenya successfully retained the men’s volleyball trophy after beating perennial rivals Rwanda 2-0 as the seventh edition of the East Africa Inter-parliamentary games concluded in Mombasa yesterday.

Kenya fought to win the ill-tempered sets 31-29,25-20 at Makande Gymnasium.

The country was led into the match by Teso North MP Arthur Odera and former Kenya international and Webuye MP Dan Wanyama who did not play in the group stages.

Determined Rwanda gave Kenya goose bumps when they opened a 6-0 lead in the first set.

On sensing danger, head coach Gideon Chenje rested Ol Joro Orok MP John Waiganjo and brought in Wanyama to put the team on course.

It was Odera who opened the score sheet for the hosts with a powerful left flank block to put Kenya on course to winning ways.

Chenje who was left pacing along the touchlines and was calmed down by crisp serves from Uasin Gishu Senator Isaacs Melly who earned the hosts several points to narrow the gap to 15-10.

Wanyama then steered Kenya when it was his turn to serve, setting a 15-15 tie before Chenje again called for a time out to break the nail-biting tension.

At one point the contest became nervy with several protests by the visitors who were not comfortable when Kenya took a lead.

The second set had similar pattern as Rwanda opened a 6-0 lead on resumption.