Kenyan marathon star Ruth Chepng’etich has been banned from athletics for three years after testing positive for a prohibited substance, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has confirmed.
The 30-year-old, one of Kenya’s most successful female distance runners, tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic commonly used to treat high blood pressure but banned in sport for its potential to mask performance-enhancing drugs.
According to the AIU, the suspension takes effect from 19 April 2025, with all her results since 14 March 2025 annulled.
The ban is a major setback for Chepng’etich, who rose to global fame after winning the 2019 World Marathon Championships in Doha and setting some of the fastest women’s marathon times in history at Chicago and Nagoya.
In a statement, the AIU said it remains committed to “protecting the integrity of athletics through strict enforcement of anti-doping rules.”
Chepng’etich, who was seen as a potential contender for the 2025 World Championships, has not publicly commented on the ruling. Her suspension means she will only be eligible to return to competition in April 2028, unless a successful appeal or reduction is granted.
The decision has reignited debate over Kenya’s ongoing doping crisis. The East African nation, famed for producing world-class distance runners, has faced increased scrutiny following a rise in doping violations in recent years.
Athletics Kenya, the sport’s governing body, expressed “deep concern” over the latest case and urged athletes to uphold the values of clean competition. “We must protect our legacy,” an official told The Nation. “Every athlete represents Kenya’s reputation.”
Experts say the trend threatens to undermine decades of dominance that once defined Kenyan athletics. The AIU has stepped up testing and educational campaigns in partnership with local authorities, hoping to restore trust in the sport.
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