Kenyan marathoner Judy Jelagat Kemboi, aged 26, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The provinsional suspension comes in after AIU found the presence or use of the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic often used as a masking agent.
The formal status, ‘Notice of Charge Issued,’ means she remains under investigation and has not yet received a finalized ban.
This latest case brings her into a growing number of Kenyan athletes under scrutiny for doping violations. Notably, marathon world-record holder Ruth Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in July for the same prohibited substance. Brimin Kipkorir was similarly suspended earlier in 2025 after testing positive for EPO and furosemide.
Amid mounting public concern, Kenya’s government has announced plans to publish a full list of sanctioned athletes, compounding the pressure on national sports authorities to confront doping within its ranks.
Athletic Integrity at Risk
Kenya, long revered for its dominance in distance running, faces a growing integrity crisis. The AIU list shows at least 25 Kenyan athletes sanctioned so far this year. This follows broader revelations such as those reported by Le Monde that identified 44 positives and 82 active bans among Kenyan athletes globally, emphasizing a systemic issue.
Government Response and Accountability
The new policy of publicly releasing names signals a shift toward transparency and may raise difficult questions about anti-doping enforcement within Athletics Kenya and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
Impact on Jelagat’s Career
If found guilty, Jelagat could face significant sanctions, including substantial competition bans. Until then, her top-tier performances this year including podium finishes in Ras al-Khaimah, Guadalajara, Istanbul, and Yangzhou remain under a cloud.
Context: Broader Doping Landscape
Kenya isn’t isolated. High-profile cases including Rhonex Kipruto (six-year ban, June 2024) and stories of internal informants exposing networks of doping in athletics underscore a deeper challenge facing the sport.
As Judy Jelagat Kemboi joins a growing list of Kenyan distance runners under doping investigation, the impending release of the full list by the Kenyan government marks a critical moment. It underscores the urgent need for systemic reform, transparency, and renewed commitment to clean sport.
