Shame as another Kenyan athlete is banned for doping

Shame has once again descended on Kenyan athletics after another athlete, Lydia Cheptarus, was suspended for two years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for an anti-doping violation.

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According to the AIU, Cheptarus provided a urine sample on 28 September, 2025, during the Casablanca International Challenge in Morocco.

The test, conducted under the authority of AIU, was assigned the code 1634739.

On 27 October, 2025, a WADA-accredited laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland, reported an adverse analytical finding following the detection of triamcinolone acetonide, a prohibited glucocorticoid.

The AIU reviewed the results under Article 5 of the International Standard for Results Management (ISRM) and established that the athlete did not possess a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance found.

Further, assessment by the integrity body confirmed there was no departure from the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI) or the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL) that could have influenced the result.

It was also established that the prohibited substance did not enter the athlete’s system through any permitted route.

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In a statement dated Wednesday, 19 November, 2025, the AIU said it notified the athlete of the adverse finding on 29 October stating that the result could lead to anti-doping rule violations under Rule 2.1 or Rule 2.2 of the Anti-Doping Rules.

Cheptarus was informed of her rights, including requesting a B-sample analysis, receiving the laboratory documentation, or admitting the violation.

Two days later, on 31 October, the AIU received a signed admission from the athlete, accepting both the violation and the consequences.

Triamcinolone acetonide appears under the S9 category of the 2025 WADA Prohibited List and is banned in competition when administered through injectable, oral (including oromucosal) or rectal routes.

Because the AIU found no evidence that Cheptarus intentionally used the substance, she will serve the standard mandatory sanction of two years.

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Cheptarus, born on January 27, 2000, is a rising Kenyan distance runner who has competed across both track and road disciplines, including the 1,500m, 5,000m, 10km, and the 3,000m steeplechase.

She holds a 10km road best of 31:11 set in Langueux, France, in June 2023.

Cheptarus posted 15:48.4 in the 5,000m and 4:20.55 in the 1,500m in Nairobi.

She also boasts a 3,000m steeplechase personal best of 10:20.0 from 2017.