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Indian national Aman Malik has been jailed for three years after he admitted to four charges related to doping The 19-year-old was arrested in May in Iten for possession of performance-enhancing drugs in an area which is a base for many athletes Kenya has been facing a doping problem, with nearly 20 athletes banned in 2015 alone for doping Aman Malik, an Indian national, has been sentenced to three years in a Kenyan prison after pleading guilty to doping charges.
Indian national Aman Malik is one of the biggest doping cases prosecuted since WADA’s warning. Photo by ADAK.
Source: Twitter An increasing number of Kenyan athletes have been found guilty of doping in recent years, putting the country at risk of a major ban.
The latest high-profile case involves women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, whose world record, set in Chicago last October, is now tarnished.
Why was Indian man jailed in Kenya? Senior Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku sentenced Malik to three years in prison after he was found guilty on four charges involving the possession and trafficking of banned substances.
The 19-year-old will face an additional 12 months in prison if he fails to pay a fine of KSh 1 million. The Indian national admitted to possessing prohibited substances at a training camp in Iten.
The judge added that Malik will serve the sentences concurrently, meaning he will remain in prison for three years. She also ordered that upon completing his sentence, he should be repatriated.
However, the convict will serve all the sentences simultaneously (concurrently), meaning he will be behind bars for three years.
“Courts are called to protect society. Sometimes, they are the last hope for the populace that is ravaged by forces outside it,” said Njeri. The substances found in Malik’s possession must be destroyed after 14 days if he has not filed an appeal.
He was arrested in May in Iten, following a joint operation by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
He was found in possession of Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Meldonium, and Mannitol, substances commonly used to enhance performance.
Ruth Chepngetich was suspended for doping. Photo by Michael Reaves.
Source: Getty Images What did ADAK say? ADAK has been battling doping for years. They welcomed the decision by the court to sentence Malik.
“The sentencing reflects the seriousness with which Kenya treats offenses related to doping, trafficking, and the handling of prohibited substances,” ADAK said in a statement. The conviction and sentencing of Mr Malik demonstrates that Kenya’s legal and regulatory frameworks are operational and effective in protecting clean athletes.” The World Anti-Doping Agency sent a warning to ADAK earlier this month, saying they are non-compliant with its code and will be punished
19 Kenyan athletes have been banned in 2025 alone for doping.
Which Kenyan athletes have been banned? Rita Jeptoo, Chepngetich, Lawrence Cherono, Jemima Sumgong, Wilson Kipsang, and Rhonex Kipruto are some of the biggest athletes to be banned for doping.
Jeptoo is considered one of Kenya’s most high-profile doping cases. In 2014, she was banned for four years after testing positive for the blood-boosting drug EPO.
She was subsequently stripped of her victories in the 2014 Boston and Chicago Marathons, and her career never recovered thereafter.
American athletes blasts Ruth Chepng’etich In a related story, we reported that American record holder Emily Sisson called out Ruth Chepng’etich.
She lost to the Kenyan at the 2022 Chicago Marathon, and the doping ban feels “like a punch in the gut.”
Her world record became a topic of debate on social media and in the Kenyan parliament.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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