Kiarie Rejects Mvurya’s Claims Of Government Support Over Missed World Skate Games

By Staff Writer

Skating athlete Kevin Kiarie has rejected claims by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya that the government has supported his participation in international competitions, saying he has never received direct financial assistance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports for any of his events.

Kiarie said the ministry’s claim that it supported his participation in international competitions was misleading, arguing that he and other well-wishers had to raise money for his ticket and accommodation to enable him to travel for the World Skate Games in Asunción, Paraguay.

His response followed a statement issued by the ministry on October 7 seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding his visa and travel arrangements for the World Skate Games ASU26, scheduled for October 2 to 18.

Kiarie also questioned the ministry’s assertion that it had supported him at previous competitions, including the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt, and demanded details of funds allegedly approved for his participation.

“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??” Kiarie said in a social media response to Mvurya.

The ministry, however, said Kiarie had previously benefited from government support for international competitions and that his cash awards from the Benin International Challenge and Africa Skating Championships had been fully paid. It also said it remained committed to supporting the athlete and other Kenyan competitors in emerging sporting disciplines.

The ministry said its intervention in the latest case began after officials became aware of Kiarie’s concerns through a social media video in which he sought assistance from Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi. According to the statement, the PS directed the Directorate of Sports to establish the circumstances surrounding Kiarie’s travel and visa requirements and provide administrative support.

The ministry said Director of Sports Dr Bernard Ouma subsequently contacted Kiarie, who informed him that his booked itinerary required transit through Panama and that he needed assistance to obtain the necessary transit visa.

Kiarie disputed the characterization of the intervention as meaningful support, saying the process ultimately failed to help him travel as intended. He said he had repeatedly sought clarification from the ministry on financial support allegedly approved for his participation.

“Director sports said he would help, but he did not because after asking the questions he was asking, he was not helpful, I ended up missing the events. That was not intended to support, that was pretending to help, there was no goodwill,” Kiarie said.

The ministry said Panama does not maintain a resident embassy in Kenya and that the visa matter therefore required facilitation through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and appropriate Panamanian diplomatic channels. It said preparations for official correspondence had begun after the matter emerged over the weekend.

It further said Kiarie had initially submitted an itinerary for travel on October 2, which had already lapsed when the Directorate began handling the matter. According to the ministry, despite follow-up, he did not provide an updated itinerary needed for either diplomatic intervention or an alternative travel arrangement.

The ministry said athletes and federations should engage it sufficiently early to allow administrative, financial and diplomatic procedures to be completed before international travel.

“Successful and timely intervention therefore depends on early engagement and the provision of complete and valid travel documentation,” the ministry said.

Kiarie, however, maintained that the central issue was not simply the visa process but the ministry’s failure to provide meaningful support and recognition for his achievements. He said public assurances by ministry officials created an expectation that his participation would be facilitated.

He also challenged the ministry to disclose the amount of money approved in his name for previous competitions, saying the documents required for the events had been submitted.

“I wrote requesting to know how much was approved under my name for any of my events, in which we provided the documents, kindly give us the response,” Kiarie said.

The ministry said it remained willing to engage Kiarie and the skating fraternity to strengthen the sport and expand opportunities for Kenyan athletes. It also urged athletes seeking to represent Kenya internationally to make requests early enough for government agencies to complete the required processes.