Athletics Kenya Calls for Stricter Vetting of Foreign Nationals Amid Doping Concerns in Iten
Kass SPORTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifGRi57b9Vs
Athletics Kenya (AK) has called for a more rigorous vetting process for foreign nationals entering the country to train in areas such as Iten. The move comes in the wake of the recent arrest of an Indian national allegedly involved in the distribution and use of banned performance-enhancing substances.
Speaking to Kass Sports, Barnaba Korir, Youth Development Director at Athletics Kenya, underscored the need to uphold the integrity of Kenya’s athletics tradition by ensuring that all individuals training in the country have legitimate, transparent purposes.
“These training grounds are sacred,” Korir asserted. “They have produced champions who have carried our flag with pride across the world. We must ensure that every foreigner coming here is properly vetted and has a clear purpose. The integrity of our training spaces must be preserved at all costs.”
On Tuesday, May 5, 2025 Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) released a statement, detailing a raid carried out in collaboration with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The operation, conducted in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, led to the arrest of an Indian national and the seizure of a cache of banned substances.
According to ADAK’s official statement, the raid was based on “actionable intelligence indicating possible involvement in activities related to the distribution and use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances.” Among the substances recovered were human growth hormone (HGH), meldonium, and mannitol — all substances banned under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.
The search also uncovered intravenous paraphernalia including IV bags, syringes, and needles, some of which had already been used — pointing to potential doping practices.
Iten, often dubbed the “home of champions,” is a high-altitude town globally revered for producing world-class athletes. Both Kenyan and international runners flock to Iten throughout the year to train, attracted by its unique environment that supports running.
Korir added that, Athletics Kenya is stepping up its commitment to cleaning up the sport. Revealing that AK has rolled out an Enhanced Anti-Doping Program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at stamping out doping and protecting clean athletes. This includes a nationwide registration drive for all athletes, support personnel, and coaches, both local and foreign.
“So far, nearly Kshs. 35 million has been invested in this initiative,” Korir said.
“We’ve also introduced a coaching registration policy that requires all coaches to formally commit to anti-doping regulations through a signed pledge. Everyone involved in athletics in Kenya must be certified.”
A nationwide vetting and registration exercise, slated to begin in June 2025, will further solidify Kenya’s resolve. The initiative aims to establish a centralized database of all athletes and their affiliates, enabling better monitoring, accountability, and transparency across the sport.
