Between 2014 to 2018 only 138 Kenyan athletes were banned for doping, 2022 was the year in which Eliud Kipchoge lit up the streets of berlin to set the world record but the year was largely a disaster for Kenyan athletics, no fewer than 25 athletes were banned.
There were 5 athletes banned in one week including Marius Kipserem winner of Rotterdam marathon and Abu Dhabi. Things got so bad that world athletics threatened to ban Kenya
Why are athletes doping
Athletes make money from three primary sources;
- Prize money(usually top 10 finishers get paid)
- Sponsorship(athletes are paid or not paid to wear certain manufacturers clothing such that of Eliud Kipchoge and Nike)
- Appearance fees(athletes don’t have to qualify for an event and are paid to participate)
Athletes expenses
- Taxes(highest)
- Coaching
- Training
- meals
- Accommodation
- Flights
- Agent
- Gear
These financial commitments are crucial for their success and overall career development. Regrettably, some athletes, driven by the pursuit of financial gains and sponsorships, may resort to doping practices, compromising both their health and the integrity of the sport.
Kenyan athletics pledged 25 million dollars over the next 5 years inorder to curb the practice
These cases shouldn’t overshadow the achievements of clean athletes. Many Kenyan runners train hard, compete fairly, and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship. However, the recurring instances of doping highlight the need for stricter anti-doping measures, education, and support systems to protect the integrity of athletics in Kenya and around the world.
List of Kenyan runners banned for doping
The list of currently suspended persons was last updated on 1 January 2024. Please note that it is intended for information only and should not be relied upon from a legal perspective.
| Name | Sex | Discipline | Sanction | Disqualification Period | ADRV Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MWASYA, Jarinter Mawia | F | Sprints | 4 years ineligibility | Since 26.11.22 | Presence Use of erythropoietin (EPO) & Exogeneous Steroids after IRMS |
| NALYANYA, Eglay Nafuna | F | Middle Distance | 8 years ineligibility | Since 01.02.22 | Presence Use Tampering with Norandrosterone & Tampering |
| NAWOWUNA, Alice Aprot | F | Long Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 28.05.22 | Presence Use of Letrozole |
| NYABOKE (NYANAMBA), Vane | F | Long Distance | 7 years & 4 months ineligibility | Since 29.08.21 | Presence Use Tampering with Norandrosterone & Tampering |
| RENJU, Keneth Kiprop | M | Long Distance | 5 years ineligibility | Since 20.03.22 | Presence Use of Methasterone |
| RIONORIPO, Purity Cherotich | F | Long Distance | 5 years ineligibility | Since 30.05.22 | Presence Use Tampering with Furosemide & Tampering |
| RONO, Georgina | F | Long Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 27.05.22 | Doping Evasion – Refusal and or Failure to Submit |
| ROTICH, Joan Nancy | F | Long Distance | 4 years ineligibility with 4 years added | Since 11.01.19 | Doping Presence – Violation of the Prohibition of Participation during ineligibility |
| RUTTO, Beatrice (Jepkorir) | F | Long Distance | 6 years ineligibility | Since 21.04.19 | Doping Presence – Use of Ostarine & Heptaminol |
| SAINA, Emmanuel | M | Long Distance | 3 years ineligibility | Since 18.08.22 | Presence Use of Norandrosterone |
| SANG, Henry Kiprotich | M | Long Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 03.12.17 | Doping Tampering with multiple mentions |
| SAWE, Mathew | M | Middle Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 26.04.22 | Presence Use of Triamcinolone acetonide |
| SUMGONG, Jemima Jelagat | F | Long Distance | 8 years ineligibility | Since 28.02.17 | Presence Use & Tampering with EPO; Tampering (production of forged medical document in disciplinary proceedings) |
| SYOMBUA, Everlyne | F | Middle Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 12.06.22 | Presence Use of 19-norandrosterone |
| TALAM, Purity Jerono | F | Long Distance | 4 years ineligibility with 4 years added | Since 19.11.17 | Doping Presence – Use of Oxandrolone |
| TERER, Patrick Kipyegon | M | Long Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 20.10.19 | Presence Use of Norandrosterone (after IRMS) |
| TILITA, Solomon Lekuta | M | Long Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 04.10.21 | Presence Use of Norandrosterone, 19-noretiocholanolone, Nandrolone |
| TOO, Eliud Kibet | M | Middle Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 11.11.22 | Presence Use of 19-norandrosterone, 19-noretiocholanolone |
| WAMBUI (GICHIA), Tabitha | F | Long Distance | 7 years ineligibility | Since 19.09.21 | Presence Use & Tampering with Norandrosterone |
| WANJIRU, Daniel Kinyua | M | Long Distance | 4 years ineligibility | Since 09.03.19 | Doping Use – Athlete Biological Passport Case |
| YEGO, Zenah Jemutai | F | Long Distance | 1 year ineligibility | Since 21.01.23 | Presence Use of triamcinolone acetonide |
| Name | Sex | Discipline | Sanction | Disqualification Period | ADRV Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KORIR Sally (Selly), Jepkemoi (Jepkurui) | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 2 years with 4 years added | 14/09/2024 | Doping: Violation of the Prohibition of Participation During Ineligibility (Repeated); Test: Ineligibility violation multiple times |
| KOSGEI, Henry Cheruiyot | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | Lifetime ban | Lifetime ban | Doping: Presence & Violation of Prohibition of Participation During Ineligibility; Test: In competition test, Mini Marathon de Yaoundé, Yaoundé, CMR |
| KOSGEI, Vincent Kiplangat | M | Middle Distance (800m-1500m) | 3 years ineligibility | 15/11/2024 | Doping: Presence; Use: Exogenous Steroids after IRMS; Test: In competition test, at 2nd AK Relay Build up Competition, Nairobi, KEN |
| KUNYUGA, Michael Njenga | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 8 years ineligibility | 31/07/2030 | Doping: Presence; Use: 19-norandrosterone; Test: In competition test, at Rimi Riga Marathon, Riga, LAT |
| KWEMOI (SOET), Gilbert | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | 20/02/2024 | Doping: Presence; Use: Norandrosterone; Test: In competition test, Urban Trail de Lille, Lille, FRA |
| KWEMOI, Peter Ndorobo | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | 16/12/2023 | Doping: Presence; Use: EPO; Test: In competition test, Istanbul Marathon, Istanbul, TUR |
| LEMPUS, Betty Wilson | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 5 years ineligibility | 13/10/2027 | Doping: Presence & Tampering; Use: Triamcinolone Acetonide, Tampering; Test: In competition test, at Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris, FRA |
| LOKEDI, Philemon Kacheran | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years ineligibility | 08/07/2025 | Doping: Presence; Use: Exogenous Steroids after IRMS; Test: Out-of-competition test, KEN |
| LOMOI, Samuel | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | 11/09/2025 | Doping: Presence; Use: Triamcinolone acetonide; Test: In competition test, at Volksbank Münster Marathon, Münster, GER |
| LONYANGATA, Paul Kipchumba | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 19 months ineligibility | — | Doping: Presence; Use: Furosemide; Test: Out-of-competition test |
| MBATHA, Joseph | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | 19/12/2023 | Doping: Presence; Use: EPO; Test: In competition test, Route du Vin Semi Marathon, Remich, LUX |
| MBUVI MUEMA, Boniface | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | 19/12/2023 | Doping: Presence; Use: Norandrosterone; Test: In competition test, Chosunilbo Chuncheon Marathon, Chunchon, KOR |
| MUMBUA, Agnes | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | 26/02/2026 | Doping: Presence; Use: Methasterone; Test: In competition test, in TAN |
| MUTAI, Mikel Kiprotich | M | Marathon | 4 years ineligibility | 19/03/2024 | Doping: Presence; Use: Norandrosterone; Test: In competition test, Taipei Marathon, Taipei City, TPE |
| MUTGAA, Racheal | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years ineligibility | 02/08/2024 | Doping: Presence; Use: Exogenous Steroids after IRMS; Test: In competition test, Generali Milano Marathon, Milan, ITA |
| MWANGI Joel, Maina | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years ineligibility | 22/06/2025 | Doping: Use; Norandrosterone; Use of Norandrosterone & Possession of Norandrosterone |
| Name | Sex | Discipline | Sanction | Disqualification Period | ADRV Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIPROP, Edward Kibet | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years ineligibility | Since 23.01.22 | Doping: Presence; Use: 19-norandrosterone and 19 noretiocholanolone; Test: In competition test, 30a Mitja Marato Internacional Vila de Santo Pola in Santa Pola, ESP |
| KIPROTICH, Brimin | M | Middle Distance (800m-1500m) | 3 years ineligibility | 29/08/2025 | Doping: Presence; Use: Erythropoietin (EPO); Test: In competition test, at Meeting National à thème de l’Est Lyonnais, Stade Raymond Troussier, Decines, FRA |
| KIPROTICH, Wilson Kipsang | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | 09/01/2024 | Doping: Whereabouts Failures & Tampering; 3 Whereabouts Failures within 12 months & Tampering |
| KIPRUTO, Mike | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | 08/06/2026 | Doping: Presence; Use: 19-norandrosterone; Test: In competition test, Maratonina del Mare, Pescara, ITA |
| KIPSEREM, Marius | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years ineligibility | 21/09/2025 | Doping: Presence; Use: erythropoietin (EPO); Test: Out-of-competition test, in Kapsabet, KEN |
| KIPYOKEI, Diana Chemtai | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 6 years ineligibility | 26/06/2028 | Doping: Presence & Tampering; Use: Triamcinolone Acetonide, Tampering; Test: In competition test, at B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Boston, MA, USA |
| KISHOYIAN, Alphas Leken | M | Sprints (400m or less) | 4 years ineligibility | 28/07/2024 | Non-Doping: Presence; Use: Norandrosterone (after IRMS); Test: In competition test, Athletics Kenya Track and Field Build-up Competition, Nairobi, KEN |
| KISORIO, Mathew | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years ineligibility | — | Doping: Whereabouts Failures; 3 Whereabouts Failures within 12 months |
| MWANGI, Hannah Wairimu | F | Sprints (400m or less) | 3 years ineligibility | Since 25.02.23 | Doping: Presence; Use: 19-norandrosterone In competiton test, at 2nd Athletics Kenya Weekend Meeting, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, KEN |
| Name | Sex | Discipline | Sanction | Disqualification Period | ADRV Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIMCHUMBA KORIR, Felix | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years | 08/09/2025 | Doping, Presence, Out-of-competition test |
| KIMNGETICH, Sheica Cherotich | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years | 02/06/2025 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| KIMUTAI, George (Nganga) | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years | 05/12/2023 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| KIMUTAI, Alice Jepkemboi | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years | 15/11/2025 | Doping, Presence, Out-of-competition test |
| KINGORI, Silas | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years | 07/02/2025 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| KIPKORIR, Japhet (Kipchirchir) | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years | 10/05/2024 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| KIPLETING, Phenus | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years | – | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| Name | Sex | Discipline | Sanction | Disqualification Period | ADRV Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KANGOGO, Mark | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years | 08/09/2025 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| KENDAGOR, Jacob | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years | 22/10/2024 | Doping, Evasion, Out-of-competition test |
| KENDI, Cynthia | F | Middle Distance (800m-1500m) | 3 years | 20/06/2026 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| KIBARUS, Mercy Jerotich | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 8 years | 04/12/2027 | Doping, Presence, Out-of-competition test |
| KIBET, Maiyo Johnstone | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years | 19/07/2025 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| KIBET, Michael | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years | – | Doping, Presence, Out-of-competition test |
| Name | Sex | Discipline | Sanction | Disqualification Period | ADRV Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEPKWONY, Benard | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 2 years | 12/02/2025 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| CHUMBA, Nicholas Cheruiyot | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years | 15/01/2024 | Doping, Presence, Out-of-competition test |
| EKIRU, Titus | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 10 years | 27/06/2032 | Doping, Presence, Tampering, In competition test |
| GACHAGA, Morris Munene | M | Long Distance (3000m+) | 2 years | – | Doping, Whereabouts Failures, 3 within 12 months |
| JEMUTAI (KIPLIMO) Joyce | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 12 years (2nd ADRV) | 05/07/2035 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| JEPNGETICH, Judith | F | Middle Distance (800m-1500m) | 4 years | 23/08/2025 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| Name | Sex | Discipline | Sanction | Disqualification Period | ADRV Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARSOSIO, Agness Jeruto | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 5 years | 05/09/2028 | Doping, Athlete Biological Passport Case |
| BIWOTT, Salome Jerono | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 8 years | 04/06/2027 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| BORURA, Esther Birundu | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 3 years | 05/09/2026 | Doping, Presence, Out-of-competition test |
| CHEBET, Brenda | F | Middle Distance | 3 years | 02/09/2026 | Doping, Presence, In competition test |
| CHEPKIRUI, Joyce | F | Long Distance (3000m+) | 4 years | From 06/04/16 to 04/08/17 | Doping, Presence, Out-of-competition test |
source: Athletics integrity organization
The Athletics Integrity Unit and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya are ramping up drug-testing in Kenya, with the aim of conducting 5,000 tests during this year 2024.