You're to blame, lawyer Kipkorir tells state over doping scandals

Says Kenyan athletes don't need drugs to win since racing is inborn.

In Summary

• In a statement on Thursday, Kipkorir said over the years, he has made demands aimed at stopping the breaking of anti-doping rules, to no avail.

• Organizations including the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Athletics Integrity Unit are expected to hold a meeting on Friday to review the state of doping in Kenya.

Lawyer Donald Kipkorir at Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi.
Lawyer Donald Kipkorir at Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi.
Image: FILE

Lawyer Donald Kipkorir has laid the blame on the government for failing to deal with the doping scarring Kenyan athletes. 

In a statement on Thursday, Kipkorir said over the years, he has made demands aimed at stopping the breaking of anti-doping rules to no avail.

"I have been demanding that we fix the doping scandal of our athletes. Kalenjins don't need drugs to win races because we are born 'racists'," the lawyer said.

The bulk of Kenyan athletes comes from the Rift Valley region, majority being from the Kalenjin community. 

Kipkorir said livestock keeping among the Kalenjin requires young men to walk long distances to take cattle for grazing thereby nurturing a running culture in them.

His remarks followed reports that Kenya is facing possible ban over growing incidents of doping amongst Kenyan athletes.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) are expected to hold a meeting on Friday to review Kenya's state of doping.

The meeting in Monte Carlo, Monaco will feature discussions on Kenya following the increase in cases of violation on anti-doping rules. 

Earlier, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba said the ministry is working together with the AIU and WADA to resolve the menace.

"Kenya is fully committed to ending the doping menace. The ministry is exploring all available options to ensure that Kenya is removed from the list of class A doping nations," he said.

Namwamba said athletes, coaches and relevant athletics institutions must work together to eradicate the menace that threatens Kenya's place in international athletics.

"We cannot allow our nation to be banned because of the actions of some greedy unethical individuals. We will target and deal decisively with the criminals and their syndicates. We must work together to eradicate doping and cheating from athletics and sports," he said.