This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
Published on May 14, 2020, as Kenya's athletics scene grapples with a growing number of doping cases, a top official from Athletics Kenya (AK) has called for the government to take drastic measures to combat the issue.
John Wachira, the chairperson of AK's South Rift Valley branch, believes that declaring doping a treasonable offense would serve as a strong deterrent against athletes who engage in anti-doping rule violations.
According to Wachira, the harsh penalty would not only protect the integrity of Kenyan athletics but also repair the country's damaged international reputation.
“Just as we are ahead of the pack when it comes to long distance running, we must also be ahead in dealing with and slaying this doping dragon that is threatening to decimate our athletics prowess,” Wachira said.
Wachira defended the tough measures taken by AK's national office to combat doping, stating that they are necessary to end the mess that is slowly soiling the name of the country.
Some of the proposed measures include banning athletes who have served their suspensions from competing in both local and international competitions, as well as firing government employees who are found to be violating anti-doping rules.
