Kenyan marathon runner Kenneth Kiprop has been slapped with a five-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit for the use of methasterone.
The Kenyan athlete was to face a six-year ban, however, the ban was reduced by a year.
“The athlete has accepted the above consequences for his Anti-Doping rule violations and has expressly waived his right to have those Consequences determined by the Disciplinary Tribunal at a hearing,” part of AIU’s statement read.
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According to the AIU Kiprop sent the anti-doping unit an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations via what app on October 26, 2022.
Following his ban, Kiprop's Prague Half Marathon champion results held on March 20, 2022, were disqualified.
Kiprop was suspended provisionally early in the year pending investigations.
The ban comes amidst an increased campaign by Athletics Kenya (AK) against doping.
Recently, Barnabas Korir, an AK official, cautioned athletes of a possible ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Kenya is currently listed under Category A on the World Anti-doping Agency's (WADA) list of nations on the watch for anti-doping violations.
This year, a number of athletes that have been banned for doping are majorly the road and marathon runners.
Kenyan athletes have been found to be guilty of the use of two prohibited substances Norandrosterone and triamcinolone acetonide.