Kenyan skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu has demanded answers over an estimated KSh2 million in cash awards he was due after winning three gold medals and one silver medal in international competitions.
According to Kiarie, the amount was part of a KSh2.75 million award he expected under a national sports award scheme, which he received after a meeting with Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi on May 8.
The sports awards scheme provided KSh750,000 for a gold medal and KSh500,000 for a silver medal.
Based on the calculation, his three gold medals were worth KSh2.25 million, while the silver medal was worth KSh500,000, bringing the total to KSh2.75 million before reimbursements.
However, Kiarie clarified that he received payment for only one gold medal.
He has subsequently questioned what happened to the balance, saying requests for documents showing the payments made have not been successful.
“After meeting the PS Sports, Elijah Mwangi, on May 8. Referring to a national award Scheme they showed me, we agreed that One Gold would award me KSh. 750k; one silver KSh. 500k. I did not get a balance of 2M on Cash awards, and I do not know what was paid. We requested documents to prove what was paid without success,” a statement dated August 30 from the skater read.
Kevin Kiarie Questions KSh2M Balance
Kiarie’s calculation puts the disputed balance at approximately KSh2 million.
Kiarie emphasized that the amount was expected to cover the remaining two gold medals and the silver medal after accounting for the payment he received for one gold medal.
The skater has also raised questions over expenses related to his international competitions, noting he was forced to finance his trip to China personally.
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Sports Ministry on Cash Award
The Sports Ministry has provided a different account of Kiarie’s cash awards.
In a statement shared publicly by State House Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects Dennis Itumbi, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said Kiarie received KSh800,000 in cash awards.
The amount was linked to his performances at the Benin International Challenge and the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt.
The difference between Kiarie’s KSh2.75 million and the KSh800,000 cited by the ministry is KSh1.95 million.
The ministry explained that the KSh380,000 remained payable to Kiarie by the federation and that the Sports PS directed that the outstanding amount be released to him.
“The skater was paid a total entitlement of KShs 800,000 arising from performances in the Benin International Challenge and the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt. The federation approved and fully disbursed KSh 641,900. However, KSh 380,000 remains due to the skater from the federation. According to the government’s account, KSh 641,900 was approved and disbursed to the skating federation,” State House Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects Dennis Itumbi explained.
However, Kiarie has maintained that several reimbursement commitments relating to his international competitions remain unresolved.
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Dispute over China Competition
During a competition in China, the skater argued that he was forced to cover his trip after the government failed to offer support.
The Sports Ministry offered a different explanation, saying Kiarie could not participate in the Sichuan High-T Competition because his Chinese visa was issued after the competition ended.
The missing award money follows a series of international inline skating performances by Kiarie, in which he represented Kenya at events in Benin and Egypt, where he won medals.
His performances have also drawn public attention because of the financial challenges of competing internationally.
In an earlier appeal for support, Kiarie received contributions from Kenyans to help finance his participation in competitions abroad.
On August 29, the skater thanked his supporters, stating he had received KSh 228,000 in contributions and was KSh 112,000 away from meeting the target.
According to Kiarie, the contributions from Kenyans were used to acquire an air ticket to Paraguay for the World Skate Games 2026, with the ticket costing KSh 375k, accommodation fees of KSh 98, and Federation fees of KSh 40k.
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