Kenyan Olympic champion blames greed, ignorance for doping rise

By Mutai Ricky

ELDORET, -Former Olympic 800 metres champion Paul Ereng believes ignorance, greed and neglect by officials are to blame for the increase in doping incidents among his Kenyan compatriots.

"Doping is on the rise because athletes are gullible and would want to earn so much without working so hard, while foreign agents want to make a quick buck," Ereng, who won gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics said.

The east African nation famed for middle and long distance athletics has come under increasing global scrutiny following failed doping cases involving its elite athletes, among them three-time Boston Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo.

Earlier this month, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said that Kenyan and Russian athletes wishing to compete at the Rio Olympics must be re-tested prior to the Aug. 5-21 Games.

Last week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) approved Kenya's new anti-doping legislation, earlier declared non-compliant because it was not in line with its code, which the country hopes will help its athletes avert an Olympic ban.

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Nandi-Kisumu border clashes at rest

The clashes, which broke out afresh on Saturday at Kibigori area at the Kisumu- Nandi border following a confrontation between two communities, which was by started by livestock theft.

One of the attacks resulted from killing the herdsman, an incident that ignited the violence leading to the killing of another man and burning of several homes in the remote Kopere trading centre on the border.

Police are now urged to be vigilant in maintain peace and order among the communities, as they were commanded to shoot any cattle rustler that tries to destabilize their peace among the residence.

“Both the communities in Nandi and Kisumu counties live in cosmopolitan settings and political leaders from both sides should not preach divisive politics, again” said of the resident.

Businesses had stopped after the residences flee the place, education being cut shot after the children and teachers seeks for their safety.

By yesterday the residences settling back after the police, politicians and elders from the two communities went to “kamukunji” looking for the solution in solving the problem. National integration and cohesion commission chairman Francis ole Kaparo addressed the residence of Kibigori in Kisumu County where at least ten people died and around 80 left their homes.

 

Francis ole Kaparo addressing the residence of Kibigori in Kisumu County [courtesy of Standard Digital]