Kenyans on X contribute nearly Ksh.200K for star skater Kelvin Kiarie

Kiarie, who shot to fame last weekend after bagging two medals and taking the first position in the April 2026 International Skating Challenge in Cotonou, Benin, touched millions of Kenyans after they learned of his sheer determination, struggle and strain to bring the glory home and put Kenya on the map.

In an effort to put their mouths where their money was, Kenyans decided to do more than just write pity essays and harsh anti-government commentaries on X - they decided to help Kiarie achieve his dreams by actually supporting his efforts in affording proper kits, new skating apparatus and more.

In a quick drive kick-started by popular X personality Kibet Bull, Kenyans quickly rallied around, each directly sending whatever little amount they had towards Kelvin's skating kitty, some sending as little as Ksh.30 and others as much as Ksh.3,000.

Quickly, everyone came on board, with Kiarie receiving an avalanche of MPESA notifications within hours, the amounts rising per minute, as the skater steadily kept his X followers updated on how much he had so far received.

By afternoon, Friday, 10, Kiarie had received over Ksh. 174,000 and more were still trickling in. 

Speaking to Citizen Digital, the skater profusely thanked everyone behind the drive, and everyone who had chipped in, saying: "I am deeply moved by their support and love. I didn't expect it. I feel valued despite the few challenges. I did it for Kenyans, and I could never do it for any other country; Kenya is the only home I have. I have no  other country to take these awards to."

As the drive gathered steam, sports apparel retailer Badeqshop directly reached out to Kiarie, promising to gift him a brand-new Kenyan tracksuit.

"Buda, niaje? Nimekuona ona sana na hiyo tracksuit...sina ubaya. Humbly, if you consider the offer, pitia shop kesho, uchukue tracksuit mpya, safi ya Kenya...kwa bill yangu," he wrote.

As it all unfolds, the sensational skater has now updated fans on his next stop - next month's Africa Skate Games in Cairo. 

"Africa Skate Games Cairo, May 1-5th, 2026. If all goes well, I should attend this event. How beautiful would it be to go as a whole team, Kenya? 2, 10 or 20 people for Kenya. Africa Skate Games 2019,  her last event until I appeared, Kenya won 38 medals. She (Kenya) was the overall winner!" he wrote.