The two tested positive for the banned substance, triamcinolone in 2021.Kipyokei, 28, returned a positive test after clinching the 2021 Boston marathon.
•The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) also banned Kenyan marathoner Philemon Kacheran Lokedi for three years after his sample tested positive for Testosterone.
Image: WORLD ATHLETICS
Athletics Kenya (AK) has earnestly kicked off a robust nationwide exercise aimed at campaigning against the violation of anti-doping laws.
The move comes in the wake of a damning indictment of the country with at least 23 Kenyan athletes having either been slapped with bans or suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) thus far.
The latest victims of the ballooning vice are Boston 2021 marathon champion Diana Chemtai Kipyokei and fellow Kenyan Betty Wilson Lempus who was suspended after violating anti-doping rules.
The two tested positive for the banned substance, triamcinolone in 2021. Kipyokei, 28, returned a positive test after clinching the 2021 Boston marathon.
Lempus, 31, had initially been cleared by the French anti-doping agency but was found culpable upon further investigations conducted by AIU after his 2021 Paris half-marathon triumph.
The development comes barely days after another Kenyan runner Mark Kangogo — winner of the Sierre-Zinal in August — also tested positive for triamcinolone.
AIU also banned Kenyan marathoner Philemon Kacheran Lokedi for three years after his sample tested positive for Testosterone.
Lokedi, 30, had been selected to fly Kenya's flag at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom but was replaced at the last minute by bronze medalist Michael Githae.
Lokedi was busted with an out-of-competition test that was carried out in Kapenguria on April 27 and the ban comes into force retroactively on July 8, 2022.
Similarly, the 2017 world cross-country bronze medallist Lilian Kasait also found herself in trouble with the agency that banned her for 10 months. Kasait, 25, reportedly tested positive for a prohibited hormone therapy drug, letrozole.
AIU said in a statement that the Kenyan pleaded guilty to the doping charges and her suspension will run from April 2022 to February 2023. AK says it has realised the urgency to sensitive fledgling athletes on the significance of adhering to anti-doping laws before they transition to the senior stage.
The Friday meeting brought together 400 young athletes from the North Rift region on Monday in Kitale, Trans Nzoia county.
Participants included youngsters who flew the country's flag at the World Under 20 Championships in Colombia.
A similar exercise was rolled out in Eldoret on Tuesday. Among the sensitive topics deliberated were age cheating, competition manipulation, illegal betting, transfer of allegiance, bribery and corruption, and sexual abuse and harassment.
AK Youth Committee chairman Barnabas Korir reiterated the need for junior athletes to remain above board in their pursuits of fame and fortune. He said the federation is always ready to support them to ensure they succeed in their career.
The move by AK to initiate a sensitization program is timely and commendable. Kenyan athletes have been capturing the world headlines for all the wrong reasons lately.
The development threatens to destroy all the major gains made by our country on the global stage over time.
We feel extremely proud when our sportsmen and women shatter world records and storm to medals.
However, enjoying momentary glory for shameful deeds is uncalled for. Kenyan athletes must be taught the value of burning the midnight oil to attain the desired heights.
The relevant authorities must clamp down on athletes who bring disrepute to our beloved nation with such disgraceful acts. It's time to save face.