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- Lord Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics (WA) has praised Kenya’s efforts in combating doping
- He said that Kenya has made tremendous progress
- The World Athletics President hailed the government for its sustained efforts in addressing doping cases
Lord Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics (WA) has praised Kenya’s efforts in combating doping.
Doping is the use of a banned substance by an athlete to enhance performance.
Anabolic steroids, stimulants and human growth hormones (HGH) are some of the most common performance-enhancing drugs used by athletes for doping.
Blood doping is also banned because it’s a method that facilitates doping.
He said that Kenya has made tremendous progress in the last two years. Coe visited Salim Mvurya, Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary at Riadha House on Wednesday.
The World Athletics President hailed the government for its sustained efforts in addressing doping cases among Kenyan athletes.
Why was Sebastian Coe in Kenya?
Coe visited Kenya to evaluate its progress in tackling doping and gender-based violence (GBV) in sports.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe with Kenya’s President William Ruto. Photo/SportPesa Blog
These two vices have negatively affected Kenya’s sports in recent years. The government’s annual funding of $4.99 million has provided necessary support in addressing these two vices.
Sebastian Coe admitted that this funding is critical in the fight against doping. He noted that the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has played a role in Kenya’s anti-doping campaign.
AIU has a permanently stationed officer in Kenya. Their mandate is to ensure compliance and monitoring. The AIU officer works closely with Athletics Kenya.
Mvurya reiterated that his ministry remains keen on ensuring funds meant for anti-doping campaigns are available.
He conceded that the anti-doping campaign is giving a ray of hope for Athletics Kenya. Testing, probing and creating awareness are now easier backed by and efficient personnel.
How is World Athletics Combating Gender-Based Violence?
Coe said that beyond doping, GBV is also affecting sports at home and away. However, he is hopeful that with proper planning of the country’s sports sector, GBV can be defeated.
Sports according to the World Athletics President can raise awareness about GBV and give solutions on how to deal with it.
The Ministry of Sports created a secretariat whose sole mandate is addressing GBV-related issues affecting athletes.
Diana Watila is the secretariat’s Chief Executive according to Mvurya. The unit, since its establishment, has worked closely with World Athletics.
Has GBV Affected Kenyan Athletes?
Unfortunately, Kenya has lost several promising athletes to domestic violence, a fact Sebastian Cole is aware of.
In October 2021, long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death by her husband Ibrahim Rotich.
The late Agnes Tirop. She was allegedly murdered by her husband Ibrahim Rotich in October 2021. Rotich is under trial for the murder. Photo/Capital News
Tirop was a decorated athlete with a world record in a 10km race. She had just broken the 10km word record in Germany in September 2021 before her gruesome death a month later.
Relatives and neighbours found her lifeless body at their Eldoret home a day later after failing to reach her. Rotich took off with their saloon car and evaded arrest for a while.
He was finally arrested in Mombasa and was charged with murder. Tirop’s family told the court in November 2023 that Rotich was abusive to their daughter.
She had for a long time tried to hide it from her family but eventually opened up in 2021 before Rotich killed her.
The tussle was over Tirop’s property which Rotich clamoured for against the late athlete’s wish. Tirop had to move out of their home following increased beatings and returned to her parent’s home.
Rotich sweet-talked her to return promising to change his aggressive behaviour but it was just a ploy to have her return to their home.
The trial is still ongoing with more witnesses lined up to testify.
