Athletics Kenya (AK) is examining the qualifications of select athletes in its Under-20 team for the upcoming World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, scheduled for March 30. The probe focuses on allegations that some competitors may have submitted falsified birth certificates to secure selection during the National Cross Country Championships held on February 23 in Eldoret.
AK senior vice president Paul Mutwii, who oversees competition operations, confirmed that investigators are reviewing claims athletes previously competed as juniors using alternate birth documents to gain entry into men’s and women’s Under-20 teams. 'We are ensuring compliance with Athlete Integrity Unit protocols and will release a report by Thursday to finalize the World Championships entry,' he stated.
Mutwii declined to name specific athletes, citing concerns about premature accusations. 'We avoid disclosing names until the investigation concludes,' he said. Two athletes, Kibet Kandie (men’s Under-20 team) and Agnes Mwikali (women’s Under-20 team), have not reported to the training camp at Kigari Teachers Training College, Embu, prompting plans to replace them by Wednesday.
Kandie and Mwikali finished sixth and fourth respectively in their age-group races at the National Championships, earning spots in the 30-member team. The squad also includes 2016 World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion Amos Kiru and other notable athletes. Nike, the team’s kit sponsor, has delivered training and competition gear, with athletes set to receive allowances today.
