On Monday, December 12, 2022, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) banned three more Kenyan runners due to doping-related offences.
According to a press release issued by AIU, the runners were banned for two to three years, depending on their crimes.
“The AIU has banned three Kenyan athletes: Maiyo Johnstone Kibet, for 3 years, starting 20 July 2022, for the presence/use of a Prohibited Substance (EPO).
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“Alice Jepkemboi Kimutai for 3 years, starting 16 November 2022, for the presence/use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone).
“Mark Otieno Odhiambo for 2 years, starting 31 July 2021 for the presence/use of a Prohibited Substance (Methasterone),” read part of the statement from the body.
In the case of Mark, AIU acknowledged that he used the substance unintentionally.
The short distance runner thanked the stakeholders for giving him a fair hearing and promised to come back stronger in 2023.
"After many months of tirelessly fighting to prove that I did not intentionally dope, the truth has finally come out.
"I was a victim of bad manufacturing practices and paid dearly for that. The supplements I had taken were contaminated with undisclosed banned substances, leading to my failing a drug test.
"I am humbled that the panel at the Sports Disputes Tribunal reviewed the evidence presented and concluded that I did not intend to cheat at the Tokyo Olympics. I accept the reduced consequence of 2 years of ineligibility with credit to time served.
“I am grateful to the Panel for giving me an objective hearing and most importantly I am eternally grateful to God for vindicating me. Representing Him has and will always be what's most important to me. I look forward to returning in 2023 to do what I do best,” he stated.
AIU could have slapped Jepkemboi with a four-year ban, but since she made an early admission, it was reduced to three years.
This is bad news for Kenya since a few weeks ago. The country narrowly escaped a ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Since January this year, more than 20 runners, including those representing Kenya at international events, have been banned.
In the wake of increasing doping cases in the country, the government recently set aside $ 5 million (approximately Ksh 615, 500,000) to tackle the menace.