From training in an apartment basement to topping Africa: the rise and rise of skater Kevin Kiarie

In the world of elite sports, the path to international glory is usually paved with state-of-the-art training facilities, government-sponsored business class flights and a team of dedicated coaches.

But for Kevin Kiarie, Kenya’s 27-year-old skating superstar and the newly crowned African champion in freestyle slalom skating, the path to glory was paved with something entirely different: a Ksh1, 500 pair of second-hand skates from Gikomba and a matatu ride to the airport.

Speaking on JK live, Kiarie’s story sparked a nationwide discussion on the neglect of minority sports by the sports ministry.

Kiarie’s journey began nearly a decade ago, sparked by a simple video on his cousin's phone. In 2017, while a student at the Technical University of Kenya, he used his first HELB loan to pursue his passion.

"With the support of my friend, we went to Gikomba. For 1,500 shillings, we bought my first pair of skates," Kiarie recalled. "I started practicing with no intention of competing. I just wanted to do it for fun and exercise."

The so-called fun later turned into a disciplined pursuit of excellence and greatness. By 2019, seeing Kenyan skaters return from the Africa Skate Games in Egypt with 38 medals passed a message to Kevin.

Despite his rising status as Africa's top-ranked skater, he still didn’t receive any support from either the government or any sponsor. Kiarie detailed the heart-breaking reality of trying to represent a country that, once said it had "no funds" for him.

To get to the African Championships in Egypt, where he eventually bagged double gold, Kiarie had to seek financial assistance on Tiktok.

"I went to the ministry… too much back and forth. They told me there are no funds," he said. "For Egypt, I put a video on TikTok asking Kenyans to donate. They raised Ksh220, 000. That’s how I bought my ticket and accommodation. I even took a matatu to the airport to board that flight."

Kiarie’s talent was so evident that it even shocked his competitors. During a world championship event in Singapore, a total stranger noticed that the Kenyan representative was skating on gear that was not fit for professional competition.

“I met a friend in Singapore and saw that the skates I was using were so substandard asking me why I was using them and I seemed to have good skills, he went forward to ask if he can sponsor me…”

That stranger subsequently sent Kiarie a professional pair of skates worth over Ksh150,000 - the very gear he used to conquer Africa weeks later.

The lack of infrastructure is perhaps Kiarie’s biggest hurdle. Kenya does not have a single public skating rink. Kiarie revealed that he was once banned from Kasarani Stadium and now trains in the basement of his apartment building or in empty car parks.

"I humbly ask the CS for Sports: skating is a household sport for many urban families. Give them an upper hand; create for them a skating rink. I’m the same person expected to go to Singapore or Egypt and come back with gold, but I have no environment for training."

Later this year, the Kenya’s sensation will be competing in the largest skating tournament in China. He hopes to go to camp before facing the Chinese who he says they are the toughest opponents in the game.

Now the African champion believes his success can help raise alarm bells to the sports stakeholders and the government to support the sport.

“Let’s give these children a purpose to skate, let’s give skaters on the streets a reason to purpose their passion just like any other superstar athlete,” he said.

For Kiarie, the medals are not just personal achievement but a clear proof that determination and focus can overcome massive challenges and lack of support.