Kenyan marathoner Kemboi banned for two years over doping

Kenyan Marathoner Emmanuel Kipchumba Kemboi has been handed a two year ban over a doping offence, World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) has announced.

Kemboi has been interdicted after he submitted a urine sample at the 2024 Lisbon Marathon in October and on December 17, 2024, at a WADA accredited laboratory in Lisbon, Portugal, reported a report of Adverse Analytical Finding in the athlete's sample based on the presence of Triamcinolone Acetonide.

On April 2, 2025, the 28-year-old admitted fault and had his four-year ban shortened to two years.

The ban was reduced after he cooperated with officials and made them aware of his situation without causing trouble, it has emerged.

Triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic corticosteroid used to treat various inflammatory conditions. It is available in topical, injection, and nasal spray forms.

It works by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system.

Kemboi was not available for comment when reached by Radio Generation Sport, as his phone went unanswered.

Kemboi has posted decent times in his career.

His personal best are as follows; Marathon, 2:14:33, half marathon 1:01:55 and the 10,000m in 29:12.99.

Kemboi won the 2025 Riyadh Marathon on Saturday, February 8, this year, and the ban will be felt in athletics circles in the country.

Kenya has been grappling with a serious doping issue, and this will bring focus back to efforts that have been made to tackle the vice.

Around 300 Kenyan runners have been flagged for doping since 2015, according to WADA.

The Daily Nation reported in a separate report on Tuesday that a Kenyan pharmacist is on the run from the Police for facilitating doping in the country.

James Cheruiyot Kipsanai has been accused by the Kenya Anti Doping Agency (ADAK) in the Rift Valley town of Iten of luring athletes and administering banned substances to them with the false hope of escaping authorities.