Skater Kelvin Kiarie Rejects National Heroes Nomination Amid Funding Dispute
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Kenyan freestyle slalom skater Kelvin Kiarie has questioned his proposed nomination as a national hero, despite being recognised for his achievements in sports and his representation of Kenya on the international stage.
According to the National Heroes Nomination website, Kiarie is being recognised for his “exceptional achievements in sports, specifically freestyle slalom skating.”
The nomination also describes him as a multiple African champion who has proudly represented Kenya.
However, Kiarie has now questioned the recognition, citing what he says is a lack of government support for his international competitions.
In a post on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Kiarie said he appreciated the honour but wanted the government to explain why he had been proposed for the national recognition while he claims he has never received support from the Ministry of Sports for his international competitions.
“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?” Kiarie said.
He also claimed that he had not received reimbursement funds owed to him and that no action had been taken on the matter.
The latest remarks come amid a two-week public back-and-forth between Kiarie, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi, and Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi over government funding for the athlete.
The dispute has also seen Kiarie turn to the public for financial support ahead of the upcoming World Skate Games in Paraguay, where he has been raising money for travel and accommodation.
Kelvin Kiarie Claims Ksh 2.75 Million in Awards
Kiarie says the funding dispute dates back to a meeting with Sports PS Elijah Mwangi on May 8, 2026.
According to the skater, they discussed a national award scheme under which a gold medal would attract Ksh 750,000 while a silver medal would attract Ksh 500,000.
Kelvin Kiarie said he had won three gold medals and one silver medal, translating to Ksh 2.75 million in cash awards, excluding reimbursements.
“I had 3 Gold Medals, 750k × 3 = Ksh. 2.25M + Ksh. 500k (One Silver Medal). Total = Ksh.2.75 Million + Reimbursements,” he said.
He claimed the government only sent money for one gold medal, forcing him to later sponsor himself to China.
Kiarie said he had not received the remaining Ksh 2 million in cash awards and did not know what had been paid.
“We requested documents to prove what was paid without success,” he added.
Skater Turns to Kenyans for Support
The dispute has unfolded as Kiarie prepares for the World Skate Games in Paraguay.
The skater launched a public fundraising campaign to help meet the costs of travelling to the competition and paying for accommodation.
He shared several updates showing the contributions he received from Kenyans.
At one point, Kiarie said the public had raised Ksh 237,000, leaving Ksh 103,000 to reach his target.
“Thankyou Kenyans For Ksh. 237,000 contributions. I am so grateful for the joint efforts for a common good,” he said.
The amount later rose to Ksh 250,000, before reaching Ksh 321,000.
Kiarie subsequently announced that his accommodation had been fully sorted after a Kenyan contributed about Ksh 60,000 towards an outstanding Ksh 98,000 bill.
“ACCOMMODATION FULLY SORTED ✅️🙏 A Kenyan Has Helped Us Sort a Big Balance of Accommodation Fees,” he said.
He later announced that contributions had reached Ksh 331,000, leaving Ksh 9,000 to go.
Photo collage of Skater Kelvin Kiarie asking for help from Kenyans and photo of contributions
PHOTO/Kiarie
Also Read:Kelvin Kiarie to Bag Millions as Govt Rewards Kenyan Skating Champion After Public Outcry
Itumbi Challenges Kiarie Over Ksh 870,000
The funding dispute escalated on August 28 when Dennis Itumbi challenged Kiarie to account for an alleged Ksh 870,000 government transfer.
Itumbi asked Kiarie to confirm whether he held an Equity Bank account beginning with 77 and ending with 078 in May 2026.
He said that if Kiarie maintained that no funds had been paid into the account, he was willing to publish evidence showing a successful Ksh 870,000 transfer, but only with Kiarie’s consent.
“Accountability must work both ways, and where public funds are concerned, the record should be clear,” Itumbi said.
Itumbi also said he had evidence of a Ksh 380,000 transfer from government accounts to Kiarie’s federation.
He said the payment was verifiable and should form part of the public record.
On Kiarie’s participation in the upcoming World Inline Competition, Itumbi said the government would support him.
“The Government of Kenya will support you, because you have earned your space and proven you deserve it,” he said.
Itumbi said the matter was about accountability and ensuring that the facts were placed on record.“We should never sacrifice TRUTH for VIRALITY,” he said.
Also Read:Debt and Sports Betting Threaten Kenyans’ Financial Progress – Report
Sports PS Explains Government Support
Sports PS Elijah Mwangi has defended the government’s policy on supporting athletes competing in continental and global events.
Speaking to NTV, Mwangi said the government supports athletes either through their federations or individually.
He explained that individual athletes must first be registered as sportspersons with the Registrar of Sports.
“For you to be supported as an individual, you must be registered as a sportsperson with the registrar of sports,” Mwangi said.
He added that an individual athlete must make a request through the Director of Sports, after which the request is evaluated by the Nationalisation Committee before support is provided.
Mwangi said the government does not select athletes based on their popularity.
“We don’t support people because of how they are known. We support them on the policy of the government,” he said.
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Photo of Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi and Skater Kelvin Kiarie during a meeting at his office in Nairobi
PHOTO/Kiarie/X