Multiple 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.
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.
The ministry, meanwhile, said it recognises Kiarie’s achievements and remains supportive of his sporting ambitions.
“The ministry further maintains that Kevin has previously benefited from government support towards his participation in international competitions, including the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt, while his cash award entitlements arising from the Benin International Challenge and Africa Skating Championships were fully paid,” the ministry said in a statement.
It added that successful and timely intervention on visa facilitation and international travel depends on early engagement and the provision of complete and valid travel documentation.
The dispute builds on Kiarie’s previous claim that he resorted to public fundraising to meet the costs of attending the Paraguay competition.
Hours after raising questions over his national hero nomination, he announced that Kenyans had contributed Sh340,000 towards his participation.
“Finally, we have reached our target. Sh340,000 contributions. Thank you, Kenyans. It’s indeed humbling. I appreciate all forms of support channelled and shown towards this journey. God bless you all. Now my only focus is the World Skate Games. I’ll keep you posted,” he said.
The fundraising has since become part of the disagreement over whether the government supported his participation.
Kiarie said the money was raised for his ticket and accommodation despite public assurances that the ministry would support his participation.
However, the ministry said its international travel and visa interventions are subject to established diplomatic procedures.
“Successful and timely intervention therefore depends on early engagement and the provision of complete and valid travel documentation,” the ministry said.
The statement has generated debate on X, with some users accusing the ministry of attempting to take credit for Kiarie’s achievements after he had raised money independently.
Others called for direct engagement between the Ministry and the athlete, citing what they described as a communication breakdown.
Some reactions also questioned why the ministry appeared to have acted only after Kiarie publicly raised the issue, while others criticised the sports administration for what they viewed as inadequate support for athletes in less established disciplines.
However, the ministry said it remains available to engage Kiarie and will continue working with the skating fraternity to strengthen the sport and expand opportunities for al Kenyan athletes.
“Athletes and federations are consequently encouraged to engage the ministry sufficiently in advance to allow the necessary administrative, financial and diplomatic processes to be undertaken,” it said.
The competing accounts leave the central question unresolved; whether government funds and support were actually provided to Kiarie for the competitions he cites, and if so, how and when that support reached him.
