Kenyan athlete faces four-year ban after sending look-alike for doping test

Kenyan middle-distance runner Michael Saruni finds himself embroiled in controversy after orchestrating a daring evasion from doping control officers during the country's trials for the delayed 2021 World Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games.

The incident unfolded on June 25, 2022, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where Saruni, renowned for his prowess in the 600m indoor event and Olympic achievements, attempted to circumvent doping tests. Following a thorough investigation, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has levied a four-year ban on Saruni, marking a significant setback in his athletic career.

During the trial, witnesses, including ADAK officials Karen Wairimu, Antony Kamau, Fredrick Makale, and Michael Omollo, provided compelling testimonies. Wairimu recounted her interaction with Saruni, initially met with cooperation before his abrupt change in demeanor. Saruni's attempt to evade scrutiny by falsely claiming a recent COVID-19 infection raised suspicion among officials, leading to a series of questionable actions observed by Kamau and Omollo.

Inadvertently dropped money

Saruni's evasion reached a climax when he retreated into a restroom, locking himself in a stall and ultimately escaping over a perimeter wall. However, his plan unraveled when he inadvertently dropped money, leading to the apprehension of Dennis Mwangi Mburu, mistaken for Saruni in the elaborate ruse.

Despite Saruni's claims of mistaken identity, ADAK meticulously substantiated his involvement through bib number verification, witness testimony, and financial transactions with Mburu. The Sports Dispute Tribunal panel, chaired by Elynah Sifuna-Shiveka and comprising Njeri Onyango and Peter Ochieng, meticulously reviewed the evidence, unequivocally affirming Saruni's culpability and dismissing his attempts to deflect blame.