Kenyan skater Kevin Kiarie has found himself at the centre of a growing dispute with the government over support for his international career.
Kiarie recently called out the government, saying he had been forced to finance his participation in international competitions despite representing Kenya. His complaints gained public attention after he revealed the struggles he faced while travelling for competitions, including relying on public transport because of limited funds.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports responded, saying Kiarie had received government support, including assistance for the African Skating Championships in Egypt and payment of his cash-award entitlements from international competitions. The ministry also said it intervened over his travel arrangements for the 2026 World Skate Games in Paraguay.
However, Kiarie disputes the government’s account. He maintains that he has not received the alleged support and has challenged officials to disclose how much money was approved in his name.
