President William Ruto has hailed Kenyan skater Kelvin Kiarie following his historic gold medal triumph at the African Skating Championship in Cairo, Egypt, in a victory that continues to spotlight emerging talent in non-traditional sports.
President Ruto on Sunday described Kiarie’s win as a defining national moment, saying the athlete had not only conquered the continent but also inspired a new generation of Kenyan sportsmen and women.
Kiarie clinched gold in the freestyle battle category during the continental championship held on May 2, adding to a growing list of achievements that have steadily elevated his profile across Africa.
The Head of State noted that the skater’s journey, largely driven by personal determination and limited support, reflects the untapped potential within Kenya’s expanding sports landscape, particularly in disciplines outside the country’s traditional athletics dominance.
Ruto expressed confidence that Kiarie’s talent, discipline and competitive edge would propel him onto the global stage, urging him to continue flying the Kenyan flag high in international arenas.
The recognition mirrors similar gestures by the President towards top-performing athletes, including marathon star Sebastian Sawe, who was previously hosted at State House following his record-breaking exploits — a sign of the government’s growing effort to celebrate sporting excellence across disciplines.
Kiarie’s latest triumph, which comes just weeks after another strong showing in international competitions, is now being viewed as a breakthrough moment for skating in Kenya, placing the country firmly on the continental map in the sport
