Kenya completed a memorable beach volleyball sweep at the 2026 ANOCA Zone Five Youth Games, winning both the Under-17 girls’ and boys’ gold medals at Kenyatta University.
Kenya 1, featuring Eddah Jepkemei and Ann Akiro, claimed the girls’ title after defeating compatriots Kenya 2, represented by Esther Chesoli and Josephine Achieng, 2-1 in a 50-minute final.
Kenya 1 recovered from losing the opening set 18-21 to win the next two sets 21-14 and 15-12. The all-Kenyan final had already guaranteed the hosts both gold and silver medals after the two teams advanced to the title decider.
In the boys’ final, Emmanuel Kipkirui and Reagan Kipchirchir secured Kenya’s second gold after beating Uganda’s Emmanuel James Oyena and Reagan Kimbowa 2-0, winning 21-14 and 21-19.
South Sudan took the boys’ bronze after Marial Makuer and Malval Mandut defeated Kenya 2’s Askenas Kipkorir and Collins Kipkosgei 2-0 in the third-place playoff. South Sudan also secured bronze in the girls’ competition.
Jepkemei attributed the girls’ victory to improved communication and determination after their slow start.
“We lost the first set because of a lack of communication and lost a bit of hope, but we managed to improve on that,” she said.
Akiro said the tournament offered valuable exposure, allowing young athletes to develop their skills while competing against athletes from across the region.
Kipkirui said the competition had also provided important preparation ahead of bigger international events, including the Youth Olympic Games.
More than 300 athletes from 11 countries took part in the 2026 ANOCA Zone Five Youth Games, which returned to East Africa after a seven-year break.
Athletes from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burundi, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt competed in seven sports: athletics, swimming, 3×3 basketball, judo, cycling, tennis and beach volleyball.