Rhonex Kipruto, the world record holder for the 10-kilometre road race from Kenya, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a doping offense.
The AIU announced that the 23-year-old athlete, who won a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2019 World Championships, tested positive for the use of a prohibited substance/method (ABP), referring to the Athlete Biological Passport.
Kipruto, known for his record-setting time of 26 minutes and 24 seconds in Valencia in 2020, had a disappointing performance at the 2021 Olympics, finishing ninth in the 10,000 meters.
This suspension adds to the growing list of Kenyan athletes, particularly distance runners, who have faced bans for doping offenses in recent years, casting a shadow over Kenya’s reputation as an East African track and field powerhouse.
The Athletics Integrity Unit has been intensifying its investigations and testing in Kenya, with AIU head Brett Clothier warning of increased scrutiny during his visit to the country in March.
In April, the AIU revealed that Kenyan athletes were being aided in concealing doping offenses through a “medically-savvy operation.” This revelation followed an investigation involving marathon runner Betty Wilson Lempus and 800-meter specialist Eglay Nalyanya, who was found guilty of doping violations. Lempus received a five-year ban in January, while Nalyanya was recently suspended for eight years.
In response to these doping cases, Kenya has pledged to significantly increase its annual drug testing efforts. The country aims to conduct 3,445 tests per year, more than triple the current number, targeting its 37,900 athletes and support personnel.
This commitment was part of a report issued by an anti-doping steering committee established in December 2022, following the government’s allocation of $5 million annually over five years to combat drug abuse in sports.
The committee has proposed strengthening investigation mechanisms and athlete monitoring, including the implementation of biological passports and educational programs.
It consists of representatives from Athletics Kenya, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), the AIU, and the Kenyan sports ministry.
