Kenyan national record-holder provisionally suspended for doping

In October, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) quietly released its new list of provisionally suspended athletes. While high-profile suspensions are usually announced to the media, two major suspensions went under the radar. Kenyan journalist Katami Michelle announced on X that ADAK provisionally suspended 400m national record holder Mercy Adongo Oketch. She was sanctioned for the presence of prohibited substances trimetazidine and furosemide.

400m sensational sprinter Mercy Adongo Okech has been provisionally suspended by @ADAKKENYA for the Presence of a prohibited substance S4 (Hormone and Metabolic Modulators/trimetazidine) and S5. Diuretics and Masking Agents/furosemide.

— Katami Michelle (@MichKatami) November 5, 2026

The hormone and metabolic modulator (trimetazidine) found in Oketch’s sample is primarily used to treat heart conditions and helps boost oxygen consumption by improving blood flow to the heart and limiting changes in blood pressure. Furosemide is a masking agent that dilutes the urine and makes it more difficult to find other prohibited substances in the sample.

Another big track suspension came from 2022 World Indoor 800m silver medallist Noah Kibet. ADAK provisionally suspended him for the prohibited substance glucocorticoid triamcinolone acetonide, which is used to rapidly reduce inflammation in tendons and joints.

800m runner Noah Kibet has been provisionally suspended by @ADAKKENYA for Presence of a prohibited substance S9. Glucocorticoids-triamcinolone acetonide.

— Katami Michelle (@MichKatami) November 5, 2026

Another massive blow

Kenyan athletics has been hit hard, with big names being taken down over the past year. First, world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich in 2025, then world and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir in 2026.

Oketch, 24, is the face of Kenyan one-lap competitors and has had an outstanding two years of competition. In May 2025, she was a member of the Kenyan women’s national record 4x400m performance of 3:25.80, and later that month set the 400m national record, in 50.25. Then in March at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, she set the indoor 400m national record in 51.25. In May, at the World Athletics Relays in Gabarone, she ran as part of the mixed 4x400m Kenyan team that placed fourth and set an African record, in 3:09.87.

It remains unclear whether Oketch’s records will stand following the findings. She is currently awaiting a hearing with ADAK.

Kibet is only 22 and won a world indoor medal at just 18. In 2022, he also won the 800m at the Doha Diamond League Meeting. Then, in 2023, he set a string of PBs but has struggled to find form since. He ran an 800m PB of 1:44.44 in April, but its validity is now in question as he awaits a hearing.

ADAK cracking down

Since the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) was established in 2017, more than 140 Kenyan athletes have been sanctioned for doping offences. Kenya ranks second globally in total positive doping cases (behind India) and remains one of the countries considered at highest risk for doping. Many Kenyan stars who get caught doping tend to be discovered by external agencies such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

With the 2029 World Championships set for Nairobi, ADAK plans to drastically step up testing, including more funding, reforms and more overseas and out-of-competition tests. ADAK’s early promises have faced scrutiny, but Oketch and Kibet being caught may signal that the changes are working.