Kenyan Commonwealth Silver Medallist Kihu Suspended Over Doping
Stephen Ndangiri Kihu, a notable athlete from Kenya who secured a silver medal in the men’s 10,000m race walk at the Commonwealth Games, has been tentatively suspended following a doping violation declaration by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
Kihu, who is only 20 years old, set a new national record in the 10,000m race walk, finishing behind Australia’s Isaac Beacroft, with Canada’s Evan Dunfee earning the bronze medal in the competition that took place recently. However, ADAK confirmed that Kihu’s tests revealed evidence of erythropoietin (EPO), a prohibited substance known for enhancing athletic performance by boosting red blood cell production, thereby improving oxygen delivery to muscles.
The doping tests were performed on June 30th, coinciding with the Kenyan team’s training regimen ahead of the Commonwealth Games, scheduled from July 23rd to August 2nd. Following the discovery of the violation, Kihu’s provisional suspension came into effect on August 5th, with the potential of facing a four-year ban should he be confirmed guilty of the charges.
This incident marks part of a concerning trend, with ADAK reporting that approximately 21 athletes in Kenya have been provisionally suspended in 2026 alone for doping-related offenses. Since 2017, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has issued suspensions to over 140 Kenyan athletes, predominantly long-distance runners, indicating a significant problem within the sport in the country.
