The Ministry of Sports has rejected suggestions that it failed Kenyan skater Kevin Kiarie Ruhiu over his travel to the World Skate Games in Paraguay, explaining that his visa case stalled after he failed to provide an updated travel itinerary needed to pursue alternative routes or diplomatic intervention.
The Ministry noted that Ruhiu’s original travel plan, which involved transit through Panama, had already lapsed by the time officials took up the matter following an appeal he made on social media.
According to the Ministry, Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi directed the Directorate of Sports to urgently engage the athlete after seeing his video appeal for government intervention.
Director of Sports Dr Bernard Ouma subsequently contacted Ruhiu, who informed officials that his itinerary required a Panama transit visa. The Ministry observed that the situation required co-ordination with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and Panamanian diplomatic channels because Panama does not have a resident embassy in Kenya.
Officials began preparing the necessary correspondence over the weekend, the Ministry said, while simultaneously advising Ruhiu to consider alternative routes that would avoid the transit visa requirement.
However, the Ministry noted that the original itinerary was for October 2 and had expired by the time the intervention was being pursued. Despite follow-up, it disclosed that Ruhiu did not provide an updated itinerary, leaving officials unable to advance either the diplomatic process or alternative travel arrangements.
The Ministry maintained that visa facilitation involving foreign missions must follow established government and diplomatic procedures, with timely intervention dependent on athletes providing complete and valid travel documentation early enough.
It also pointed to previous government support for Ruhiu, including assistance for his participation in the Africa Skating Championships in Egypt. His cash awards from the Benin International Challenge and the Africa Skating Championships, the Ministry added, were also fully paid.
Ruhiu, whom the Ministry described as an accomplished athlete who has represented Kenya with distinction, had been seeking to compete at the World Skate Games ASU26 in Asunción, Paraguay, which ran from October 2-18.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting athletes across established and emerging disciplines, but urged competitors and federations to engage authorities early enough for administrative, financial and diplomatic processes to be completed.
It said it remains willing to engage Ruhiu and the skating fraternity to strengthen the sport and expand opportunities for Kenyan athletes internationally.
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