A multiagency team on Saturday, January 27 arrested an athlete and pharmacist in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County handling doping substances.

The team comprised of Directorate Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers from the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), their counterparts from Keiyo South, ADAK Compliance officer and Pharmacy and Poison Board Inspectors.

Acting on intel, the multi agency team raided Kirech Pharmacy in Iten town where they ambushed the pharmacist identified as James Cheruiyot Kipsainai.

“… found one pharmtech by the name James Cheruiyot Kipsainai admistering suspected prohibited substances to an athlete by the name Koech Aden Kipkosgei,” read part of the police report.

Detectives took samples of urine and blood from the athlete to ascertain whether he had ingested the drugs which is prohibited according to the anti-doping law.

The pharmacist was detained at Iten police Station pending arraignment.

He is expected to be charged with Unlawfully administering prohibited substances to an athlete c/sec 42(4)(b) of the Anti Doping Act.

Kipkosgei, the athlete, will undergo further interrogation and charged for violating Sec 42(6) of the Anti Doping Act.

Kirech Pharmacy was shut down by Pharmacy and Poison Board for violating its mandate.

Meanwhile, sprinter Mike Otieno was elated after his two-year dopping ban elapsed.

On Friday, January 26, he competed at the third Athletics Kenya (AK) track meeting at the Nyayo National Stadium clocking 10.41seconds.

“It felt really good and I am happy to be back. I am happy to compete again because as a sportsman, this is what I had missed.

“Psychologically it wasn’t hard to come out and compete because ever since the season’s calendar came out, I have been preparing mentally. I was ready and I felt really okay,” he was quoted as saying.

Otieno was pulled off the track during the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo after his sample returned a positive test for Methasterone, which is a banned substance.