Skater Kevin Kiarie Responds to Itumbi, Claims PS Mwangi’s Reimbursement Promises Still Unfulfilled

African skating champion Kevin Kiarie has broken his silence following a statement by State House Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects, Dennis Itumbi, raising fresh concerns over unmet government commitments and unremitted funds owed to him.

In his response, Kiarie disputed some of the claims made in the advisory issued by Itumbi and revealed that Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi had personally committed to reimbursing him for all self-sponsored international events, including Singapore, Benin, and Egypt, yet none of those reimbursements have been processed.

“My win in Benin was not recognised. PS Elijah Mwangi made a commitment to reimburse on all my self-sponsored events including Singapore, Benin & Egypt. To date none of them has been reimbursed despite formal following up,” Kiarie stated.

The skater also disclosed that the federation has not yet channelled the funds owed to him from the Egypt, Africa Skating Championships, four months after the competition. He further revealed that he has missed three international competitions despite being assured of government support. “The federation has not yet channelled the funds 4 months later. I have missed 3 international competitions despite being assured the support,” he added.

Kiarie confirmed that he applied for funding for the 2026 World Skate Games in Paraguay in July and is still awaiting feedback from the relevant authorities.

Earlier, Itumbi had weighed in on the matter, stating that he had taken note of the questions raised and confirmed that PS Elijah Mwangi had shared a factual brief on the financial and administrative status of the skater in relation to recent and upcoming international competitions.

According to the advisory from the State Department for Sports, the Ministry’s review found the following: Egypt – Africa Skating Championships: Ksh 641,900 was approved and fully disbursed to the federation. However, Ksh 380,000 remains due to the skater from the federation.

Cash Awards: The skater was paid a total entitlement of Ksh 800,000 arising from performances in the Benin International Challenge and the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt.

China – Sichuan High-T Competition: The skater was unable to participate because the Chinese visa was issued after the competition had already concluded. Benin and Singapore Competitions: Funding could not be approved or disbursed due to pending audit queries and the absence of formally approved event budgets before the competitions commenced.

World Inline Freestyle Championship 2026: The Department has received the funding request, and the budget is currently undergoing the administrative approval process.

Itumbi directed that the outstanding Ksh 380,000 be released to the skater immediately and confirmed that Kiarie’s application for additional support, submitted yesterday, is being reviewed subject to applicable approval procedures.