NAIROBI — In what is becoming a disturbingly familiar refrain, Kenya’s athletics legacy took another blow this week. Ruth Chepngetich — the world’s fastest female marathoner and a global icon of endurance — has been handed a three-year ban after testing positive for a banned diuretic, casting a long shadow over her once-celebrated career.
Chepngetich, who shattered the marathon world record in Chicago with a blistering time of 2:09:56, was found to have 190 times the permitted limit of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in her system during a March test. Though initially denying any knowledge of ingesting the substance, she later pivoted to a new explanation, citing accidental ingestion of her housemaid’s medication. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) deemed her account “hardly credible.”
The ban, effective immediately, removes Chepngetich from the competitive stage until 2028. However, the AIU confirmed that her achievements prior to the March 14, 2025 test remain intact — for now. Notably, her stunning performance at the 2024 Chicago Marathon still stands in the record books.
AIU head Brett Clothier stated that while this particular case has reached resolution, investigators are actively analyzing data retrieved from the athlete’s phone, raising the specter of deeper infractions still under the surface.
This latest episode intensifies scrutiny on Kenya’s anti-doping efforts, or lack thereof. The East African powerhouse has been under the microscope for years, following a pattern of elite-level suspensions — including Olympic gold medalist Jemima Sumgong — with more than 140 Kenyan athletes banned since 2017, more than any other nation.
Although the government once pledged to tackle the crisis head-on with a multi-million-dollar strategy, recent funding cuts to Kenya’s Anti-Doping Agency raise fresh concerns about long-term commitment. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has acknowledged some progress, narrowly delaying Kenya’s potential listing as a non-compliant nation.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the credibility of Kenyan distance running is once again on trial — not just in labs, but in the court of public opinion. And as one more legend tumbles, the burden of trust weighs heavier on every record broken and every finish line crossed.
