Mukopi calls time at Chema after historic debut season

“I know this will hurt many players, but it is the best decision I could have made at this particular moment. You can only do so much. I sincerely wish the players, coaches and management all the best, and I hope they achieve what we had all planned and worked towards,” added the FIVB Level 2 coach.

Jeremiah Mukopi Shikanga, the outgoing Chema Volleyball Club coach instructs players during a past match.

Jeremiah Mukopi has stepped down as Chema men’s volleyball coach after guiding the Juja-based club to a remarkable second-place finish in their maiden Kenya Volleyball Federation National League season.

“I will not be part of Chema Men’s Volleyball Club’s technical bench this season," said Mukopi, 48, as he confirmed his departure from the Juja-based club.

Mukopi guided Chema to a second-place finish behind eventual champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), earning their first-ever qualification for the African Men’s Club Championship, scheduled for next year.

Mukopi, who also served as a statistician on the Kenya men’s national volleyball team, Wafalme Stars’ technical bench, helped the national side clinch the regional title in Uganda earlier this year.

The coach says he leaves Chema in a better position than he found it.

“We didn’t have a contractual agreement with the club, so my stepping aside doesn’t really require me to resign or anything. For my own good and well-being, I have decided to leave the position and see what the future holds for me.

“Whenever I get an opportunity to coach a club, I aspire to give it my best shot. I have done that at Chema, and the results are there for everyone to see,” said Mukopi, who has previously coached the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Equity Bank, among other clubs.

“I know this will hurt many players, but it is the best decision I could have made at this particular moment. You can only do so much. I sincerely wish the players, coaches and management all the best, and I hope they achieve what we had all planned and worked towards,” added the FIVB Level 2 coach.

Mukopi has built a reputation for making an impact wherever he goes.

During his stint with DCI, he guided the team to victories over Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons in the 2024/2025 season. He later led Chema to the top of the KVF Men’s Division Two, securing promotion to the top flight before guiding the club to a second-place finish in their debut top-tier campaign.

Known for his no-nonsense approach, Mukopi places a strong emphasis on physical fitness and discipline.

Asked whether he would return to the volleyball scene soon, the coach left the door open.

“Who knows? Leaving Chema doesn’t mean I have stopped coaching. Let’s just see what the future holds.”

Report by Agnes Makhandia