World Athletics boss Sebastian Coe has said that Kenya faces a “long journey” to combat the doping crisis which many Kenyan athletes have become embroiled in.
In December three Kenyan athletes were banned for a collective period of eight years after breaking anti-doping rules.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) banned marathon runners Alice Jepkemboi Kimutai and Johnstone Kibet Maiyo for three years, and sprinter Mark Otieno for two.
In November 2022, the east African country avoided a sanction by governing body World Athletics despite having 55 athletes serving suspensions – after committing to spend $25m (£20m) over the next five years to combat doping.
Mr Coe said stopping doping was a long-term commitment: “We should not kid ourselves this is going to be achieved overnight.”
Last year, Kenya’s Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba announced the government intended to criminalise doping in athletics in an attempt to bring an end to a string of cases in the sport.
“I have always said that I would rather have the short-term embarrassment of a positive test than a long term decline and reputational damage of a sport both locally and internationally,” Mr Coe added.
President William Ruto’s office also tweeted that “Kenya will not spare any efforts in the fight against doping”.
It also said it would allocate funding towards combatting doping: “The Government has set aside Sh3.7 billion [$30m; £25m] to help in the fight against doping for the next five years.”
PRESIDENT RUTO: WE WILL END DOPING
Kenya will not spare any efforts in the fight against doping.
President @WilliamsRuto said the Government will go an extra mile in protecting the integrity of athletics. pic.twitter.com/G4UPQwxOEm
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) January 5, 2023
