Kenya’s Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports has defended its handling of skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu’s request for visa and travel support to the World Skate Games in Paraguay.
In a statement dated October 7, the Ministry said it had taken note of concerns raised by Kiarie regarding the visa process and travel arrangements for his planned participation in the World Skate Games ASU26 in Asunción, Paraguay, scheduled for October 2 to 18, 2026.
The Ministry said Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi directed the Directorate of Sports to engage Kiarie after he posted a video on social media seeking intervention.
“The Principal Secretary directed the Directorate of Sports to immediately engage him, establish the circumstances surrounding his travel and visa requirements, and provide the necessary administrative support,” the Ministry said.
Director of Sports Dr Bernard Ouma subsequently contacted Kiarie, who informed him that his booked itinerary involved transit through Panama.
According to the Ministry, Kiarie needed assistance obtaining the documentation required for the Panama transit visa.
The Ministry said Panama does not have a resident embassy in Kenya, meaning the matter required facilitation through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and Panamanian diplomatic channels.
“Since the matter arose over the weekend, the Directorate commenced preparations for the necessary official correspondence to facilitate his request at the earliest opportunity,” the Ministry said.
Kiarie was also advised to consider alternative routes that would avoid the Panama transit-visa requirement.
The Ministry said he was asked to provide an updated itinerary to allow officials to determine the appropriate intervention.
However, the Ministry said the itinerary initially submitted by Kiarie was for travel on October 2 and had already expired by the time the Directorate took up the matter.
The Ministry said an updated itinerary was subsequently required to progress either the diplomatic intervention or an alternative travel arrangement.
“Despite subsequent follow-up, an updated itinerary, necessary to progress either the diplomatic or alternative travel intervention, was not provided by Kevin,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry therefore maintained that the expired itinerary and lack of an updated travel plan affected its ability to proceed with the requested assistance.
The Ministry also highlighted previous Government support provided to Kiarie.
It cited his participation in the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt and said his cash awards from both the Benin International Challenge and the Africa Skating Championships had been fully paid.
The response follows earlier concerns raised by Kiarie, who accused the Ministry of sidelining skating athletes.
The Ministry's statement sought to explain the sequence of events surrounding the visa and travel arrangements and its efforts to engage the athlete after his social media appeal.
