After calling time on a two-decade career in top-level volleyball, both as player and coach, David Lung’áho has revealed the highs and lows of the Kenyan game.

To him, the two versions of the game, men and women, were the most intriguing aspect especially when it involved coaching.

During his time as a coach, Lung’aho handled both the Prisons men’s and women’s teams as well as the women’s national team, Malkia Strikers.

He was in charge of the Prisons women’s team between 2008 and 2017 before moving to head the men’s side between 2018 and this year.

He says: “It’s very easy to coach men, but coaching the ladies is interesting. With the ladies, there are issues every day... boyfriend issues, family problems. You solve issues every day. That is something I never experienced with the men.”

Interestingly, he says, women tend to grasp things easily.

“They (women) grasp things, they improve, they work on things. However, it’s very hard to make the men improve. They don’t get their things right, even if you coach them for how long, it’s very difficult.”

“But for the women, I am telling you, it is wonderful. You tell them to go this way, that’s the direction they go,” says Lung’aho. “I think I’m the coach who holds the most (women’s) titles in Africa.”

Born in Kakamega in 1967, Lung’aho’s life took a sporting turn when his father, a Kenya Railways employee, relocated the family to Nakuru.

Lung’aho started his education at Lenana Primary School, Nakuru. His athletic prowess was evident early on, as he excelled in football and volleyball.

He then joined Menengai High where his passion for sports intensified. His love for sports is not just a passion but a family legacy.

“My father was a sports person. He introduced me to volleyball since he was a volleyball player in the 1960s and early ‘70s,” he says.

Despite coming from a large family of 10 siblings, it’s only Lung’aho who inherited his father’s love for sports.

“It’s funny,” he says. “Out of all my siblings, I was the only one who pursued sports. I don’t know where this passion came from but I’m grateful for it,’ he adds.

He feels the youngest of his three sons, who is in Form Four at Lang’ata Boys High School, is also following this direction with his love for football and volleyball.

The firstborn is an officer at Kamiti Maximum Prisons while the second is pursuing his degree at Mount Kenya University.

Lung’aho’s career in volleyball started in 1987 when he joined Kenya Railways as an employee. His talent and dedication saw him don the Kenyan national colours in 1990 as a setter, marking the beginning of an illustrious international playing career that spanned 12 years. He captained the national team between 1993 and 1997.

After 16 years on the court, Lung’aho moved to the bench.

He says: “I felt I had played for a long time and so I decided that it’s time to go into coaching. But before I retired as a player, I attended several coaching courses."

"In fact, I did my first national coaching course in 1996. This was followed by my first international coaching course, FIVB Level One, a year later. I did my second international course, FIVB Level II in 2000 which qualified me as a professional coach. My transition from playing to coaching was not difficult.’’

Two years later, Lung’aho joined KCB as an assistant coach before Pipeline came calling with a head coach offer a year later.

David Lung'aho during an interview at Kenya Prisons StaffTraining College on October 12
David Lung'aho during an interview at Kenya Prisons StaffTraining College on October 12
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
In 2004, he was an assistant coach for Malkia Strikers team for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

“We finished 12th but it was a good experience. We were young coaches. We had just started coaching and then handed a big task,” he says, adding that Dorcas Ndasaba and Judith Serenga were among his favourite players.

In 2004, he delivered back-to-back African Club Championship titles for Pipeline in 2004 (Senegal) and in Nairobi a year later. In 2006 in Mauritius, Pipeline struck a continental bronze medal.

Internationally, he helped Malkia Strikers to the Africa Cup of Nations title in Nigeria.

In 2007, Lung’aho left Pipeline for rivals Kenya Prisons (women) where he won the Africa Club Championships in Egypt in 2008, 2010 in Mauritius and 2011 in Nairobi. In 2011, he guided Malkia Strikers, Lung’aho to the Africa Cup of Nations title.

Back at Prisons, he masterminded African Club Championships title in Nairobi in 2012 and in Madagascar a year later.

However, Lung’aho says winning the 2015 World Grand Prix in Australia remains his best moment.

David Lung'aho (third left front row) with Malkia Strikers after winning gold at the World Grand Prix In Australia in 2015
David Lung'aho (third left front row) with Malkia Strikers after winning gold at the World Grand Prix In Australia in 2015
Image: HANDOUT
In addition to delivering titles early on in his career, Lung’aho boasts of nurturing some of the country’s top female players including veterans Mercy Moim, Edith Wisa, Praxides Agala, Sharon Chepchumba, Laureen Chebet, Gladys Ekaru.

Earlier this month Moim and Wisa combined to deliver the national title for KCB, a first in 15 years.

He says Agala was a true leader, both at Prisons and Malkia Strikers.

“She was my captain at Malkia Strikers for a long time. She was very aggressive. She made things happen. Even in my absence, she ensured the team trained diligently. She was a driving force.”

After his success with the women at club and national team, Lung’aho ventured into men’s volleyball, taking charge of his Kenya Prisons team in 2018.

“When I switched to coaching the men, even some volleyball officials from Africa asked me why I was leaving (the women’s game). I wanted to see what I can do for the men’s team,” says Lung’aho.

Cheif Inspector David Lung'aho at Kenya Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru
Cheif Inspector David Lung'aho at Kenya Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru
Image: HANDOUT
He had a vision, to revive their lost glory.

“When I joined the men’s team, some of the players were aging old and could no longer deliver. Some of them won titles in 2008 and 2009 and here we are in 2017. We needed to bring in fresh blood. We worked with the (Prisons) management and employed some of the young players who were coming in,” he says.

It was an arduous task but finally, it paid off when Prisons beat rivals General Service Unit at the Paul Bitok International Tournament earlier this year.

Earlier this month, they beat GSU to the national title at the KVF playoffs, their first crown in seven years.

“Our captain, Hudson Chesoni has been waiting for that trophy. In fact, he cried. He was the captain for all those years that they didn’t win the trophy. I’m happy for him since he was also in his final season with the team," says Lung’aho, while heaping praise on last year’s recruit Dennis Esekon.

“Basically, Esekon delivered this trophy. He’s a top but young player. We also drafted him in the national team and I believe in him. Maybe if we recruit two more, Prisons will be the team to beat for the next two or three years.”

Kenyan volleyball comes with its fair share of challenges.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of facilities,” he laments. "It’s puzzling that even national teams have to pay to access public facilities. We need to train in Nairobi, where most players are based, but the financial burden is immense, and this hampers our progress.”

Lung’aho’s frustration extends to the country’s appetite for foreign coaches, who hardly deliver.

“I don’t believe a foreign coach is the one to take us to the next level. The key lies in nurturing local talent, providing them with international exposure, and improving the level of homegrown coaches. The Olympics and World Cup is a chance to expose our coaches,” Lung’aho adds, saying only four including Japheth Munala (KCB), Bitok (KCB), Josp Barasa (Prisons) have been exposed to such high-level competitions.

Tough competition in Africa and height disparities are challenges too.

David Lung'aho receives the 2015 Soya Award Coach of the Year from the late Joe Kadenge
David Lung'aho receives the 2015 Soya Award Coach of the Year from the late Joe Kadenge
Image: HANDOUT
Despite taking a back seat Lung’aho says he is still available to serve the game when called upon.

“I’ll stay active but will not dwell more on coaching. Other coaches need a chance too. I’ll just be advising,” he says.

The Rhumba-loving Chief Inspector of Prisons won numerous individual accolades as a coach including four Coach of the Year awards (twice at Soya — 2013, 2015 and two at Magharibi Awards — 2013, 2014) and one Magharibi Coach of the Decade title (2018).

Lung’aho offers invaluable advice to the upcoming generation of athletes.

“To the young athletes, especially the ladies, maintain a very high level of discipline and listen to your coaches,” he says. “There are men out there who prey on stars. Be careful. Get a good coach who will advise you. Prepare your career.”

“Focus on your career, be a good player, get a job, go professional. Think about how to secure your future,” he emphasises.

And for the men: “Stop drugs and substance abuse. Drugs may provide temporary performance boosts, but they won’t help you in the long run. Believe in your talents, be genuine, and avoid the pitfalls of false claims,” he concludes.

Lung’aho’s legacy paves the way for others as he retires from the front lines of coaching. His experience highlights the resilient nature of volleyball in Kenya, where skill, determination, and passion come together to produce winners on and off the court.

BIO DATA

Name: David Lung'aho

Age: 55

Career: Volleyball player, coach, Chief Inspector of Prisons, KVF technical director

Education: Lenana Primary School, Nakuru, Menengai High School

Honours:

Playing; 1995-1999 National champion-KCB

Coaching; 2003-2006: National champion - Kenya Pipeline (w)

2008, 2010-2012: National champion - Kenya Prisons (w)

2004, 2005: Africa Club Champion - Kenya Pipeline (w)

2005: Africa Cup of Nations champion - Malkia Strikers

2006: Africa Club Bronze- Kenya Pipeline (w)

2008, 2010, 2011: Africa Club Champion - Kenya Prisons (w)

2015: World Grand Prix champion - Malkia Strikers

2023: National champion -Kenya Prisons (m)