Murkomen Fires Back at Doping Critics as KSh63m Mashujaa Tournament Kicks Off
Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaks during the launch of the KSh63 million Mashujaa Day Sporting Tournament in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on September 20, 2026.
By James Gitaka
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has rejected criticism of Kenya’s hosting of the 2029 World Athletics Championships, insisting that the country has been transparent in its fight against doping.
Murkomen said the Government was taking action against individuals involved in doping-related activities and had nothing to conceal.
“The issue has been brought out because we are a very serious country when it comes to doping. We do not hide anything,” Murkomen said.
He spoke in Eldoret during the launch of the KSh63 million Mashujaa Day Sporting Tournament, which will bring together teams and athletes from Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi counties.
The tournament will feature football, volleyball, athletics and basketball for both men and women, with competition starting at the ward level on September 26.
The volleyball Inter-County Finals are scheduled for October 19, while the football finals will be held on October 20. The Iten Marathon is scheduled for October 18.
Doping concerns resurface after Nairobi win
The doping debate returned to the international spotlight following World Athletics’ decision on September 15 to award Nairobi the 2029 World Championships.
World Athletics said Nairobi’s selection followed a competitive bidding process and will make Kenya the first African country to host the global championships. The governing body said Nairobi’s bid was supported by Kenya’s athletics tradition, experience in hosting international competitions and plans for upgraded facilities, including Kasarani Stadium.
The decision, however, was followed by criticism from some British athletics commentators, who questioned whether Kenya’s doping record should have been a factor in the choice of host.
Writing in The Times, athletics correspondent Matt Lawton argued that Kenya’s history of anti-doping violations raised concerns about the decision to award Nairobi the championships in 2029. His criticism was made in the context of London’s unsuccessful bid to host the event. The Independent also reported on concerns surrounding Kenya’s doping record, citing the number of Kenyan athletes currently serving sanctions from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The criticism is not entirely new. Kenya’s anti-doping record has been under scrutiny for several years, with the AIU maintaining a public list of athletes and other individuals serving periods of ineligibility for doping and non-doping violations. The AIU’s current list includes multiple Kenyan athletes serving sanctions for prohibited substances and other anti-doping rule violations.
The AIU has previously identified several factors behind doping violations in Kenyan athletics, including the lucrative financial rewards available in international road running, the large pool of talented distance runners and economic pressures facing some athletes.
Kenya’s defence
Despite the criticism, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe defended the decision to take the championships to Africa, describing Nairobi’s bid as compelling and pointing to Kenya’s deep connection with athletics.
World Athletics said Kenya is one of the sport’s most successful nations and noted its history of hosting major international competitions, including the 2017 World U18 Championships and the 2021 World U20 Championships in Nairobi.
The organisation also pointed to Kenya’s strong athletics following and its record at the World Championships, where it has been one of the most successful nations historically.
African athletics supporters have meanwhile pushed back against the criticism, arguing that Nairobi’s selection represents a historic opportunity for the continent to host the sport’s biggest championship for the first time. The Star reported that the decision triggered debate between British critics concerned about doping and supporters who viewed the African hosting opportunity as long overdue.
Against that backdrop, Murkomen maintained that Kenya’s anti-doping efforts should not be confused with an attempt to conceal violations.
He said the Government had continued to crack down on pharmacists involved in doping-related activities.
Millions for participants
Murkomen said the Mashujaa tournament would channel the bulk of its prize money directly to competitors at the grassroots.
“A total of up to KSh60 million will go directly into the pockets of participants. We are determined to ensure that this happens all the way to the grassroots level,” he said.
The CS warned that professional players would not be allowed to participate.
“We will not allow professional players to participate,” Murkomen said.
He said an ICT system had been introduced to verify participants and prevent cheating.
The measures, he said, would ensure that only eligible players compete and that tournament resources are properly accounted for.
Officials involved in organising the tournament have also been withdrawn from their regular public service duties, Murkomen said.
He added that they would not draw allowances from the prize money, describing the arrangement as part of efforts to prevent wastage of resources.
Three counties unite
The launch brought together senior national and county officials from the three participating counties.
Those present included Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, alongside Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea.
MPs Gladys Boss Sholei, Julius Melly, Joses Lelmengit, Paul Biego, Timothy Kipchumba, Phyllis Bartoo, Maryanne Kitany, Adams Kipsanai, Julius Rutto, Janet Sitienei and Gideon Kimaiyo also attended.
County Speakers Philemon Melly, Lawi Kibire and Philip Muigei, County Commissioners Dr Eddyson Nyale, Wilberforce Kilonzo and David Kosgei, MCAs and other leaders were also present.
The tournament is expected to provide a platform for emerging talent across the three counties while directing prize money to participants at the grassroots.
About Author
