Kenyan skating champion Kevin Kiarie has questioned his nomination for the proposed 2026 National Heroes recognition, saying he appreciates the honour but wants to know why the government is seeking to recognise his achievements after failing to support him at international competitions. Kiarie, a multiple African champion in freestyle slalom skating, raised the issue after his name appeared among nominees under the sports category of the proposed National Heroes list.
“While I appreciate the honour, I would like to ask why I have been proposed whilst I have never been supported by the Ministry of Sports to any of my international competitions up to now?” Kiarie said.
His nomination comes months after he attracted national attention for winning gold and bronze medals at the African Skating Championships in Egypt, where he said he had to rely on personal resources and support from well-wishers to make the trip. Kiarie has previously spoken publicly about the financial difficulties facing athletes in less prominent sporting disciplines, particularly when they have to finance international travel and accommodation themselves. Citizen Digital reported in May that Kiarie travelled to Egypt for the continental championships after raising money for the trip, later returning to Kenya with a gold and a bronze medal. His success renewed debate about government support for athletes competing in sports outside the country’s more established disciplines.
The proposed National Heroes list includes Kiarie, formally identified as Kiarie Ruhiu Kevin, among nominees in the sports category. The category includes athletes, coaches, administrators and sports leaders from disciplines including athletics, football, chess, skating, para-sports, powerlifting, netball and karate. The nomination recognises Kiarie’s achievements in freestyle slalom skating and his representation of Kenya at continental and international level. Reports on the list identify him as a multiple African champion. However, Kiarie’s reaction has shifted attention from the recognition itself to the question of support for athletes before they reach the podium. He said he has also not received some reimbursement funds and questioned why such outstanding payments had not been resolved.
His concerns come as he seeks funding to participate in the 2026 World Skate Games in Paraguay. Reports indicate that Kiarie has been raising money through public appeals after registering for the competition.
The Sports Ministry has disputed the impression that Kiarie has received no government assistance. In a recent brief attributed to Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, the ministry said KSh641,900 had been approved for the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt and fully disbursed to the federation. The ministry said KSh380,000 remained payable to Kiarie by the federation and that the outstanding amount had been directed for immediate release. It also said Kiarie had received KSh800,000 in cash awards arising from his performances at the Benin International Challenge and the African Skating Championships in Egypt. Regarding other competitions, the ministry said funding for events in Benin and Singapore could not be approved or disbursed because of pending audit queries and the absence of formally approved event budgets before the competitions. The ministry further said Kiarie’s request for support for the 2026 World Inline Freestyle Championship had been received and was undergoing the required administrative approval process.
The ministry’s account provides a different picture from Kiarie’s assertion that he has not been supported for his international competitions, although it acknowledges that an amount remains outstanding to the athlete.
Kiarie’s case highlights the difficulties faced by athletes in sports that receive less attention and financial support than Kenya’s dominant disciplines such as athletics and football. His rise has largely been driven by personal determination and support from individuals and well-wishers, according to previous reports on his career. The 27-year-old skater began developing his skills with limited resources before emerging as one of Africa’s leading freestyle slalom competitors. Citizen Digital previously reported that his journey included training in an apartment basement and purchasing a second-hand pair of skates before eventually competing at continental level. His latest comments therefore place a wider question before sports administrators: whether recognition should come only after an athlete has achieved international success, or whether sustained institutional support should be available to help promising athletes reach that level.
For Kiarie, the immediate issue is also practical. He wants to represent Kenya at the World Skate Games in Paraguay, but funding remains a concern. The government says his latest funding request is being processed, while the ministry has directed that the outstanding KSh380,000 owed through the federation be released.