• Kenyan professional skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu says he has not received any of the reimbursement funds committed to him for self-sponsored international events
  • Kevin claims PS Elijah Mwangi personally promised to refund costs for trips to Singapore, Benin and Egypt, yet four months later no payment has come through
  • A government advisory summary acknowledged that KSh 380,000 remains owed to Kevin from Egypt funds and directed its immediate release

Kenyan professional skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu has publicly alleged that he has not received a single shilling from reimbursements he was formally promised for self-sponsored international competitions, raising serious questions about how athlete welfare funds are handled within the federation.

In a Facebook post shared on August 27, Kevin stated plainly that of the total approved reimbursement, he had "received 0 shillings." He named PS Elijah Mwangi as the official who personally committed to refunding his out-of-pocket expenses for trips to Singapore, Benin and Egypt, all of which he reportedly funded himself to compete at the international level.

Four Months, No Payment

According to Kevin, the funds have not been channelled to him despite formal follow-ups with the relevant authorities over a period of four months. The delay has had direct consequences on his career. He says he has missed three international competitions during that period, even after receiving assurances that financial support would be forthcoming. He also noted that the application for funding to travel to Paraguay was submitted in July, not at the last minute as may have been implied elsewhere.

What makes the situation more striking is the existence of an official advisory summary that was shared alongside Kevin's post. The document, attributed to a government briefing on the matter, confirmed that KSh 641,900 had been disbursed to the federation for the Egypt trip alone. Of that amount, KSh 380,000 was identified as still owed to Kevin, with a directive issued for its immediate release.

Athlete Left in the Cold

The gap between what officials say has been released to the federation and what the athlete has actually received points to a breakdown somewhere in the chain. Kevin's frustration is not simply about money but about the broader cost to his competitive career. Missing three international competitions during what should be an active season carries consequences that go beyond finances, affecting rankings, visibility and the momentum that professional athletes depend on.

Kevin's post drew attention precisely because it offered a personal account from an athlete who had done everything right, self-funded his participation, formally applied for reimbursement and patiently followed up, yet still found himself empty-handed months later.