- Freestyle slalom skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu has renewed his criticism of the Ministry of Sports over alleged unpaid competition funds.
- Kiarie was included among 264 Kenyans recognised in the 2026 National Heroes Awards.
- He said he did not attend the honours ceremony or submit his personal details after being contacted.
- The ministry has previously maintained that it supported his participation in international competitions and paid his cash award entitlements.
- Kiarie also raised funds from Kenyans for the World Skate Games in Paraguay but later announced he would not participate.
Kenyan freestyle slalom skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu has challenged the Ministry of Sports over its record of supporting his international career after his inclusion in the 2026 National Heroes Awards. The athlete alleges that money sent through the skating federation to support his participation in competitions has not reached him. He raised the issue in a social media statement on Wednesday, October 21, following Mashujaa Day celebrations. Kiarie also disclosed that he skipped the national honours ceremony and did not submit his personal details after organisers requested them.
“Apparently, yesterday, I was included in the National heroes awards 2026. I did not attend the event and I did not submit my details after they requested,” he wrote.
The skater directly addressed Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, asking the ministry to improve its handling of athlete support. He accused the ministry of making false claims about supporting his participation in the African Skate Games. Kiarie said the funds allegedly sent through the federation had not reached him. His remarks have renewed questions about the handling of public funds intended to support athletes, although the specific payment dispute remains contested.
Skater Recognised for International Achievements
The National Heroes Council included Kiarie among 264 Kenyans recognised in the 2026 honours list. He was listed at number 225 under the Sports category. His official profile cited his achievements in freestyle slalom skating, including a gold medal at the 2026 African Skating Championship in Cairo, Egypt. The council also recognised his silver medal at the Challenge Skating Championships in Benin.
The profile highlighted Kiarie’s determination and resilience, noting that his achievements had encouraged young Kenyans to pursue their talents despite limited resources and opportunities. His inclusion in the list has, however, coincided with his continued criticism of the government’s support for his sporting career. The dispute is not new, with the athlete questioning his proposed recognition weeks before the ceremony. He has maintained that official recognition should be accompanied by accountability over the support athletes receive.
Dispute Over Competition Funding
In September, after his name appeared on the proposed national honours list, Kiarie questioned why he was being considered for recognition despite what he described as a lack of government support for his international competitions. He said he had not received reimbursement funds and claimed no action had been taken to address the issue. His comments brought attention to the financial challenges athletes can face while trying to represent Kenya abroad.
The Ministry of Sports has disputed Kiarie’s account. In a previous statement, it said it had supported his participation in the African Skating Championships in Egypt. The ministry also maintained that his cash award entitlements from the Benin International Challenge and the African Skating Championships had been fully paid. These claims differ from Kiarie’s position that approved funds had not reached him.
In October, Kiarie again challenged the ministry’s explanation, saying that approval of funds did not necessarily mean the athlete had received the money. He asked where the funds were going if they had been authorised but had not reached him. His statement focused on the gap he alleges exists between official funding decisions and the support received by athletes. The available information does not establish the final status of the disputed payments.
World Skate Games Trip Ended After Fundraising Effort
The funding disagreement also followed Kiarie’s efforts to raise money to compete at the 2026 World Skate Games in Asunción, Paraguay. In September, he announced that Kenyans had contributed KSh340,000 towards his participation. He thanked members of the public for helping him reach his fundraising target. The appeal highlighted the role of public contributions in helping athletes meet the costs of international competition.
Despite the fundraising effort, Kiarie announced in October that he would not take part in the global event. He said he had exhausted the options available to him but had not received what he considered adequate support. The withdrawal came after discussions with sports officials over travel arrangements and assistance.
The ministry had previously said it intervened over visa and travel complications that threatened his participation. Officials explained that the planned route required a transit visa for Panama, which does not have a resident embassy in Kenya. According to the ministry, Kiarie was advised to consider alternative routes and provide an updated itinerary so that further assistance could be pursued.
Calls for Accountability in Kenyan Sports
Kiarie’s latest comments have kept the question of athlete funding in focus, particularly the handling of money approved for international competitions. His account raises concerns about whether allocated support reaches the intended recipients, while the ministry maintains that it provided assistance and paid the relevant awards. Resolving the dispute would require clarification of the payments, including when funds were released, how they were transferred and whether the athlete received them. Neither the award itself nor the competing statements establish the final position on the disputed money.
The skater has argued that the difficulties he encountered point to broader accountability challenges in sports administration. His experience has also highlighted the financial pressures athletes face when preparing for international events. For now, Kiarie’s inclusion in the National Heroes Awards sits alongside an unresolved public disagreement over government support. A clear account of the disputed payments would help establish what happened and what steps, if any, remain necessary.
