This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
Kenyan athletes Joyce Chepkirui and Jacob Kibet Kendagor have been suspended for doping, the latest in a series of high-profile cases in the country.
According to a statement released by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on July 9, 2019, Chepkirui was found to have used a prohibited substance after a scrutiny in her Athletes Biological Passport (ABP).
Chepkirui, a Kericho County native, has had success in both track and road races, including a silver medal in the 2011 All-Africa Games 1500m and the African Cross Country title in 2012.
She went on to win the 2014 Commonwealth and African titles in the 10,000m, before shifting to road races where she won several half marathons, including the Barcelona and Bogota races.
In 2016, she finished runner-up in the New York City Half marathon and fourth in the New York City Marathon.
Kendagor, on the other hand, was found guilty of evading, refusing or failing to submit a sample, contrary to the rules of the AIU.
The suspensions are a blow to Kenya's efforts to combat doping, which has been a major issue in the country. Kenya remains under Category 'A' of countries under IAAF watch list.
Already, Athletics Kenya (AK) has stepped up the fight against doping, with the federation insisting that any athlete found to have doped will never represent the country in any competition, even after completing their ban.
