PS Sing'Oei hosts African freestyle skating champion Kevin Kiarie as sport gains recognition
The meeting came after a remarkable period for Kiarie, who has emerged as one of Africa's leading freestyle slalom skaters despite competing in a.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'Oei and Africa skating champion Kevin Kiarie. (Photo: PS Korir/X)
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing'Oei hosted Kenya's leading inline freestyle skater, Kevin Kiarie, in recognition of his growing impact on the international stage, as the two discussed the development of skating in Kenya and opportunities to strengthen support for the fast-growing sport.
The meeting came after a remarkable period for Kiarie, who has emerged as one of Africa's leading freestyle slalom skaters despite competing in a discipline that has received limited attention and investment in Kenya.
Following the meeting, Kiarie expressed optimism over the discussions, saying they centred on the future of skating in the country.
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"Yesterday, I had a productive meeting with PS Korir Sing'Oei to discuss the growth of skating in Kenya and opportunities to strengthen support for the sport. I appreciate the time and our encouraging discussions," Kiarie wrote on his social media platforms.
PS Sing'Oei commended the skater for consistently raising Kenya's profile internationally, citing his recent performances on both the continental and global stage.
"I received Kenya's professional inline freestyle skater, Kevin Kiarie. I congratulated him on his stellar achievements, including double gold at this year's Africa Skate Games in Egypt and ranking 18th globally at the Singapore World Championships in 2025. Kiarie is a brilliant ambassador, putting Kenya on the global map. We remain committed to supporting him and our youth as they pursue their talents and represent our great country," the PS said.
Kiarie's latest success came at the 2026 Africa Skate Games in Egypt, where he won gold medals in both the Freestyle Battle and Classic Slalom events to cement his status as one of the continent's finest freestyle skaters. Earlier this year, he was Kenya's sole representative at the International Skating Challenge in Benin, returning home with one gold and one silver medal.
His journey to the top has been built on resilience and self-belief. Kiarie discovered skating in 2014 while studying Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Kenya, using Sh1,500 from his first Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) disbursement to purchase a second-hand pair of skates from Gikomba Market.
Without public skating rinks to train on, he refined his skills in apartment basements and empty parking lots before rising through the ranks to become an African champion.
His career has also been shaped by financial obstacles. Ahead of the Africa Skate Games, Kiarie appealed for public support after struggling to finance his trip to Egypt, with Kenyans contributing more than Sh220,000 through crowdfunding to enable him to compete. Although the Ministry of Sports later approved reimbursement funds, delays reportedly cost him an opportunity to attend a high-performance training camp in China.
Despite the challenges, Kiarie has continued to compete against the world's best while championing the growth of freestyle skating in Kenya, inspiring a new generation of athletes in one of the country's emerging sports.