Kenyan Marathoner Handed Two-Year Ban for Doping Violation
The banned substance was detected in a urine sample collected from Kemboi following his participation in the 2024 Lisbon Marathon.
Kenyan long-distance runner Emmanuel Kipchumba Kemboi has been slapped with a two-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Photo/isTOCK.
Kenyan long-distance runner Emmanuel Kipchumba Kemboi has been slapped with a two-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
In an official statement released by the AIU, Kemboi was found guilty of using triamcinolone acetonide, a banned corticosteroid, and has consequently been stripped of all his competitive results dating back to October 6, 2024.
The banned substance was detected in a urine sample collected from Kemboi following his participation in the 2024 Lisbon Marathon.
Despite his recent victory at the Riyadh Marathon in February 2025 — where he edged out an Ethiopian competitor by a mere three seconds — the AIU confirmed that all his performances since October last year are now invalidated. This includes the forfeiture of titles, medals, points, prize money, and any other associated rewards.
“The AIU has banned Emmanuel Kipchumba Kemboi (Kenya) for two years from April 7, 2025, for the presence/use of a prohibited substance (triamcinolone acetonide),” read the official statement from the Athletics Integrity Unit.
Triamcinolone acetonide is listed under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) 2024 Prohibited List, specifically in the S9 Glucocorticoids category.
It is banned in competition when administered via injection, orally, or through rectal routes. Commonly used to treat inflammation and allergic conditions, the drug can provide unfair performance advantages when misused in sports.
According to the AIU, Kemboi did not contest the findings and voluntarily accepted the sanctions, waiving his right to a disciplinary hearing before a tribunal.
This incident adds to a growing list of doping violations involving Kenyan athletes. Kemboi’s punishment follows the recent four-year suspension of fellow countryman Brimin Kipkorir, who tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) and furosemide during a doping control in Kenya late last year.
Kipkorir’s sample, analyzed by a WADA-accredited laboratory in Lausanne, confirmed the presence of the two banned substances.
The back-to-back sanctions have once again cast a shadow over Kenya’s reputation in the global athletics scene, with anti-doping authorities intensifying their efforts to ensure clean sport. As part of its zero-tolerance policy, the AIU continues to urge athletes to uphold integrity and comply with all anti-doping regulations.
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