Paul Bitok Steps Down From Malkia Strikers’ Technical Bench  Amid Public Outcry

Paul Bitok, the Vice President of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), has voluntarily relinquished his role as the assistant coach for the Malkia Strikers, the national women’s volleyball team, ahead of their Olympic journey to Paris.

This decision comes in the wake of public discontent over the appointment of elected officials to the team’s technical bench.

Bitok was initially appointed as the deputy to head coach Paul Munala, with KVF President Charles Nyaberi serving as the team manager. The technical team also included Janet Wanja, a retired setter, as the trainer, and Japheth Munala as the head coach.

The controversy surrounding the involvement of elected officials in the team’s coaching staff led to a backlash that preceded the loss of a significant sponsorship deal from the FIVB, which was intended to provide technical support for the Olympics.

In a statement released on Friday, Bitok explained his decision, citing the intense reactions to the formation of the technical bench for the Paris Olympics. He emphasized that his involvement with the team was not self-imposed but a continuation of his role during the Olympic qualifiers in Cameroon, prior to his election as KVF Vice President.

Bitok expressed his original intention to conclude his coaching career post-Olympics. However, given the circumstances, he has chosen to focus entirely on his executive responsibilities within the Federation.