A gold medalist has sparked public outrage after it emerged that he took a matatu to the airport following his recent win of an international title while representing Kenya.
Kevin Ruhiu, an inline freestyle skater, shared a short video on X showing himself boarding a matatu late at night as he headed to the airport for an early‑morning flight.
In the post, Ruhiu explained that he had very little money left after self‑funding his international competition and was forced to leave home at 10 pm to ensure he would find transport.
“For a flight leaving at 3 am, I left at 10 pm and arrived very early, because otherwise I wouldn’t find a matatu to the airport at 2 am,” he wrote. “I had very little left for spending, and I couldn’t afford Uber. Regardless, we won!” wrote Ruhiu.
The post went viral, triggering debate about the treatment of Kenyan athletes who excel on the international stage without institutional backing.
Social media users expressed disbelief that a gold medalist representing Kenya abroad could struggle to afford basic transportation.
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Kevin Ruhiu Win Gold Medal Without Any Official Support
Kevin Ruhiu recently represented Kenya at the International Challenge Cotonou Speed and Inline Freestyle Skating Championship held in Cotonou, Benin, from April 1 to April 5.
He competed as Kenya’s sole representative and returned home with a gold medal in freestyle battle and a silver medal in classic slalom.
Speaking to the Daily Nation, Caroline Amondi, Director of Sports, stated: “Kelvin Kiarie did not seek financial support from the Ministry.”
The athlete was not funded by the government nor received any support from the Ministry of Sports.
Speaking in a media interview, Kevin Ruhiu said the journey was tough both on and off the competition stage.
He explained that getting to the event alone required major personal sacrifices, long before the competition began.
According to him, winning the medal made every struggle worthwhile and proved to him that the effort was not in vain.
He added that he would be willing to go through the same challenges again if it meant representing Kenya on the international stage.
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Questions Raised About Athlete Welfare
The revelation also renewed discussion on how Kenya supports athletes across various sports, including athletics and football.
While the country is widely recognized for producing top-level sports talent, many Kenyans said that support for athletes is inconsistent, especially in lesser-known sports.
Several questioned how an athlete capable of winning gold on the international stage could return home with little or no money.
Others pointed out the clear gap between the pride such victories bring to the country and the personal sacrifices athletes are often forced to make behind the scenes.
“The medal brings honor to the country, but the athlete returns broke,” one user wrote. “That says everything.”
Public Praise and Calls for Accountability
Kenyans praised Kevin Ruhiu for his hard work, discipline, and determination to fly the Kenyan flag despite tough conditions.
Many urged him to stay focused and keep moving forward, telling him not to let the situation break his spirit.
Others questioned why athletes often seem to struggle alone, even when sports bodies and associations exist to support them.
Some comments called for better appreciation of talent and stronger support for athletes who continue to compete for the country against difficult odds.
One user, Ben Gathigi, wrote, “This tore my heart from the pain of neglect, but then the joy that Kevin won, nonetheless. Let this remind you… You are most likely on your own. Win still.”
