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Kenyan skater Kevin Kiarie recounts his journey to skating stardom
11th May, 2026 07:52 AM
Kenyan skater Kevin Kiarie has opened up about his journey from a casual hobbyist to a continental champion.
In an interview with a local TV station on Sunday, May 10, 2026, the record-breaking athlete, who has stunned fans with his technical skills and recent triumphs across the continent, shared that his passion for the sport began as a simple, fun activity.
Continental hero
The Roysambu native became an online sensation after clinching gold and silver at the recent African Championships in Benin before following it with an equally successful outing in Egypt, where he bagged another two gold medals.
Kiarie revealed that his interest in skating dates back to his time as a Form Two student in 2014. He was inspired by watching clips of his cousin skating, which motivated him to pursue the skill himself.
Upon joining the University of Nairobi, he made the bold move of using his student loan to purchase his first pair of skating boots.
“My passion for skating dates back to 2017 when I watched my cousin’s skating videos. It inspired me, and I made a resolution to take up the skill when I got to the university. I was a sharp boy and wanted to master the trade,” he stated.
Competitive skating
Kiarie admitted that he never initially intended to turn professional, envisioning skating only as a pastime during his early campus years.
“I started participating with no intention of competing; I was just skating for fun. It wasn’t until 2019, when Kenya went to Egypt for the skating games, that the spark for the competitive front really happened,” he explained.
Govt recognition
Following his feats, Kiairie finally captured the attention of government officials on Friday, May 8, 2026.
The roller skater was the guest of Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Salim Mvurya, alongside Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, who officially recognised his recent international triumphs.
The meeting happened a day after the athlete revealed he had relied on personal finances and borrowed funds to compete, while he made an online plea for fundraising to pay off debts.
