Kenyan skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu has hit back at the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, rejecting its claim that it has supported his participation in international competitions.
Kiarie says claims by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba that the Ministry supported him are untrue, arguing that he and his supporters had to raise funds for his ticket and accommodation to attend the World Skate Games in Paraguay.
He also took issue with the Ministry’s claim that it remains available to engage him constructively, saying constructive engagement should include recognising and supporting athletes’ achievements.
Kiarie says Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi publicly announced that the Ministry would support his participation in the World Skate Games, but the promised support did not materialise.
He says he has never received direct support from the Ministry to participate in competitions, including the Africa Skating Championships, despite funds allegedly being approved for his participation.
According to Kiarie, money approved under his name for sporting events does not reach him, raising questions about where the funds are going.
He further claims that Director of Sports Dr Bernard Ouma told him he would assist with his travel arrangements but failed to provide meaningful support after asking questions about his participation.
Kiarie says he ultimately missed the events and argues that the Ministry’s intervention did not demonstrate genuine goodwill.
He has now challenged the Ministry to disclose how much funding was approved for his participation in various competitions for which he and his team submitted the required documentation.
Kiarie says he had formally written to the Ministry seeking details of the amounts approved under his name and is demanding a response.
The skater also questioned why the Ministry failed to support his participation in the World Skate Games despite repeated public assurances from the Sports Principal Secretary that he would be supported.
Kiarie ultimately missed the World Skate Games in Asunción, Paraguay, which run from October 2 to 18, after saying he had exhausted his options to travel.
The Ministry had earlier maintained that it had attempted to assist Kiarie but was hampered by an outdated travel itinerary and the lack of an updated itinerary needed to pursue diplomatic intervention or alternative travel arrangements.
In a statement, the Ministry said it took up Kiarie’s concerns after he appealed for help on social media over his planned participation in the World Skate Games ASU26 in Asunción, Paraguay.
The Ministry says Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi directed the Directorate of Sports to immediately engage the athlete and establish the circumstances surrounding his travel and visa requirements.
Director of Sports Dr Bernard Ouma subsequently contacted Kiarie, who indicated that his booked route required transit through Panama and that he needed assistance obtaining a transit visa.
The Ministry says Panama does not maintain a resident embassy in Kenya, requiring the matter to be handled through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and appropriate Panamanian diplomatic channels.
The Directorate says it began preparing the necessary official correspondence, while also advising Kiarie to consider alternative routes that would avoid the Panama transit visa requirement.
However, the Ministry says the itinerary initially provided by Kiarie was for travel on October 2 and had already lapsed by the time officials took up the matter.
It says that despite follow-up, the athlete did not provide an updated itinerary, which was necessary for either diplomatic intervention or the exploration of an alternative travel route.
The Ministry has further maintained that visa facilitation and international travel interventions involving foreign missions must follow established Government and diplomatic procedures.
It said timely intervention depends on early engagement and the provision of complete and valid travel documentation.
The Ministry also cited previous support extended to Kiarie, including his participation in the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt.
It added that cash awards arising from the Benin International Challenge and the Africa Skating Championships were fully paid.
Kiarie ultimately missed the World Skate Games, which are being held in Asunción from October 2 to 18. He announced on October 6 that he had exhausted his options to travel to the competition.
The Ministry noted that it remains committed to supporting Kiarie and other Kenyan athletes, including those competing in emerging sporting disciplines.
