Police launch crackdown on foreign criminals masquerading as athletes in Iten
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 03.10.24. | 17:09
Authorities have launched a crackdown on foreigners posing as athletes, amid rising concerns over criminal activities
Iten, a small town in Kenya’s Rift Valley region, is globally renowned as the birthplace of numerous athletics champions.
It has produced Olympic medalists, world champions, and Big City Marathon winners.
Among the elite athletes who hail from Iten are marathon champion Joycilline Jepkosgei, women's marathon world record holder Mary Keitany, 800m world record holder David Rudisha, and former world cross country champion Irene Cheptai.
In recognition of the town's contribution to athletics, Iten was awarded a World Athletics Heritage Plaque in 2020.
The town's favourable weather and high-altitude conditions have long attracted international athletes who flock to Iten's training camps to enhance their performance.
However, the recent surge of foreign visitors has not been limited to athletes.
Authorities have launched a crackdown on foreigners posing as athletes, amid rising concerns over criminal activities linked to these individuals in Iten and other parts of Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Many of these individuals allegedly infiltrate the region under the guise of athletes or tourists, but police investigations have revealed that some are involved in criminal activities, including robberies and drug-related offences, particularly at the training camps in Iten.
"Most of the suspects claim to be international athletes training in Iten or tourists touring the region, but their passports do not support their claims," a source from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit told Nation Africa.
Statistics from the Eldoret and Iten courts indicate that at least two foreigners are arraigned each month on charges related to terrorism or illegal residency.
The most recent arrest involved an individual in Eldoret, who was found selling “strange mobile phones,” the origin of which has not yet been determined, according to police.
Authorities are now working closely with local communities to identify suspicious individuals and prevent criminal elements from infiltrating Iten, which remains a vital hub for Kenya’s global dominance in athletics.
