Kenya’s anti‑doping agency on Monday announced the provisional suspension of 27 athletes, including disgraced marathon runner Rita Jeptoo and national 400m hurdles champion Wiseman Were, over alleged doping violations. The move comes amid intensified efforts to clean up Kenyan athletics, which has faced repeated scrutiny over performance‑enhancing drug use.
According to the agency, the suspensions are precautionary while investigations continue, and the affected athletes are barred from competing in any official events until their cases are resolved. Officials emphasized that provisional suspension does not amount to a final judgment, but it is necessary to maintain the integrity of competitions and safeguard fair play.
Both Jeptoo and Were have previously represented Kenya on international stages, with Jeptoo famously winning the Boston and Chicago marathons, only to later face a ban for doping. Were has been a dominant figure in the national hurdles scene. The inclusion of 25 additional athletes reflects a growing concern over the use of prohibited substances in Kenyan athletics.
The agency called on all athletes to cooperate fully and reaffirmed its commitment to education, testing, and enforcement to ensure a level playing field for all competitors. The final determinations are expected after thorough review and analysis of the evidence.