Skater Kiarie disputes government claim of support for international competitions
Skater Kiarie disputes government claim of support for international competitions
African champion Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu has disputed the Sports Ministry’s claim that it has been supporting his participation in international skating competitions, deepening a public dispute that began after he questioned his inclusion on the proposed 2026 national heroes list.
The Ministry of Sports said on Wednesday that it had provided Kiarie with government support for international competitions, including the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt, and fully paid his cash award entitlements from the Benin International Challenge and the Africa Skating Championships.
It also said it had intervened after Kiarie raised concerns over his visa and travel arrangements for the World Skate Games in Asunción, Paraguay, where the competition runs from October 2 to 18.
But Kiarie dismissed the claim, saying he had never received support from the Ministry of Sports for any of the competitions in which he represented Kenya.
“I have never been supported to any of the competitions by the Ministry of Sports, not even the African Championship. Money was approved, but hainifikii mchezaji, where is it going?” he said.
The ministry said it became aware of Kiarie’s concerns after he shared a video on social media seeking intervention from Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi to the World Championship 2026.
According to the ministry, Mwangi directed the Directorate of Sports to engage Kiarie and establish the circumstances surrounding his travel and visa requirements.
Director of Sports Bernard Ouma subsequently contacted the athlete, who reportedly said his booked itinerary required transit through Panama and that he needed assistance with transit visa documentation.
The ministry said Panama does not have a resident embassy in Kenya, requiring coordination with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and Panamanian diplomatic channels.
It said that Kiarie was advised to consider alternative routes that would not require a Panama transit visa, also adding that the itinerary initially provided was for October 2 and had already lapsed when the Directorate took up the matter.
“Despite subsequent follow-up, an updated itinerary, necessary to progress either the diplomatic or alternative travel intervention, was not provided by Kevin,” the ministry said.
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Kiarie, however, said the intervention did not amount to meaningful support and that he eventually had to raise money for his participation.
“Director sports said he would help, but he did not because after asking the questions he was asking, he was not helpful, I ended up missing the events. That was not intended to support, that was pretending to help, there was no goodwill,” he said.
The athlete challenged the ministry to disclose the amount approved for him for previous competitions.
“I wrote requesting to know how much was approved under my name for any of my events, in which we provided the documents, kindly give us the response,” Kiarie wrote.
The dispute follows Kiarie’s earlier questioning of his proposed recognition as a national hero, despite what he described as a lack of State support.
His name appears on page 72 of the proposed National Heroes Council 2026 list, where he is described as a multiple African champion recognised for exceptional achievements in freestyle slalom skating.
The council cites his gold medal at the 2026 African Skating Championship in Cairo and silver at the Challenge Skating Championships in Benin, saying his determination and resilience have inspired young Kenyans to pursue their talents despite limited resources and opportunities.
Kiarie said the recognition was welcome but questioned why he was being proposed for a national honour when, according to him, the ministry had not supported his international career.
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