NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan freestyle slalom skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu has criticised the government following his inclusion in the 2026 National Heroes Awards, accusing the Ministry of Sports of claiming to have supported his international career while funds allegedly sent through the skating federation have not reached him.
Kiarie questioned the government’s handling of athlete support in a social media statement on Wednesday, October 21, a day after the country celebrated Mashujaa Day.
The athlete also revealed that he did not attend the national honours ceremony and declined to 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.
He then accused the Ministry of Sports of misrepresenting its role in supporting his participation in international competitions.
“The ministry of sports has made false claims of supporting my participation at the African Skate Games, and upto date, funds sent to me through the federation have never reached me,” Kiarie stated.
He concluded his message with a direct appeal to Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, writing: “Ps sports [@ElijahGMwangi] you can do better.”
The National Heroes Council included Kiarie among the 264 Kenyans recognised in the 2026 honours list. He appears at number 225 under the Sports category.
According to his official National Heroes profile, the council recognised his achievements in freestyle slalom skating, including his gold medal at the 2026 African Skating Championship in Cairo, Egypt, and a silver medal at the Challenge Skating Championships in Benin.
The council also cited his determination and resilience, noting that his achievements had inspired young Kenyans to pursue their talents despite limited resources and opportunities.
However, Kiarie’s criticism of the government predates the October 20 ceremony.
In September, when his name appeared on the proposed list of national heroes, he questioned why the state would honour him despite what he described as a lack of support for his international competitions.
“I have seen that I am among the proposed national heroes of 2026. 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 upto now?” he said.
He added: “As a matter of fact, I have also not received any of my reimbursement funds and no action has been taken.”
The Ministry of Sports has previously challenged Kiarie’s account, maintaining that it supported his participation in international competitions and paid his cash award entitlements.
In a statement the ministry said it had supported his participation in the African Skating Championships in Egypt. It also maintained that it had fully paid his cash award entitlements from the Benin International Challenge and the African Skating Championships.
The ministry further said it had intervened over visa and travel complications that threatened his participation in the 2026 World Skate Games in Asunción, Paraguay.
Officials explained that his planned route required a transit visa for Panama, which does not have a resident embassy in Kenya. The ministry said it advised Kiarie to consider alternative routes and required an updated travel itinerary to pursue further assistance.
Kiarie disputed the ministry’s account in October, insisting that he had not received support for the competitions he attended.
“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.
Kiarie’s dispute with the ministry also followed his efforts to raise money for the World Skate Games in Paraguay.
In September, he announced that Kenyans had contributed Sh340,000 towards his participation, thanking members of the public for helping him reach his fundraising target.
“Finally we have reached our target. Sh340,000 contributions. Thank you Kenyans. It’s indeed humbling,” he wrote at the time.
Despite the fundraising effort and subsequent discussions with sports officials over his travel arrangements, Kiarie announced in October that he would not participate in the global competition.
“It’s unfortunate we shall not make it to the World Championship 2026. I’ve tried everything within my control. We were not accorded the appropriate support despite my efforts,” he said in a statement.
He also called for greater accountability in the treatment of athletes, arguing that the challenges he faced reflected wider problems in Kenyan sports administration.
