Kenya says to deal firmly with doping

Kenya' s Deputy President William Ruto has said that the government will deal firmly with anyone engaging in doping.

Ruto put on notice sports personalities and administrators in the country saying those abetting the practice will face the law.

"All institutions in government from the Executive, Legislature and others have demonstrated that we are committed to clean sports, that is what Kenya is known for and it is not about to change," he said in a statement issued on Friday.

The statement comes as Kenya has been rocked with another doping hours to the start of track and field action on Friday at the Olympics after a coach was expelled from Rio 2016 for impersonating an athlete who was earmarked for an out of competition test and submitting a urine sample.

Retired runner and national sprint coach, John Anzrah, became the country' s second official to be kicked out of the Summer Games on matters related to doping when he was caught by Doping Control Officials wearing the accreditation badge of men 800m athlete and medal hopeful, Ferguson Rotich.

The incident that occurred at the Athletes' Village allegedly started when Rotich gave his accreditation to the coach for him to obtain food at the dining hall since he did not have the document since arriving to Rio on Sunday.

But Ruto who arrived in Rio de Janerio, Brazil on Wednesday to join Kenyan athletes for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games said Kenya must protect the status of sports.

"We now have legislation that gives the Kenya Anti-Doping Agency the mandate, tools and the force of law to ensure that Kenya becomes a doping-free nation," he noted.

Ruto said the Government will not allow a few individuals who want to use shortcuts, to ruin Kenya's hard-earned reputation in athletics.

"All Kenyan athletes have been tested and we have made sure that we have complied with requests and demands from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Athletics Association of Federations (IAAF)."

He said the government will protect the millions of Kenyans who love sport and the reputation of hundreds of athletes who compete fairly.

"We must protect our sports status, ensure the law is followed and anyone falling on the wrong side will be dealt with. It should be clearly understood by our sports administrators and sportsmen and women that the law will be applied," he said.

Ruto said the government had come good on its promise to Team Kenya that either the President or himself would travel to Rio to "stand with the team" .

"We are here in anticipation that Kenya will defend its position as the reigning world champions. The team is upbeat and we expect the first gold medal tomorrow morning that will herald our hunt for medals in this city," he said.

"My presence here is a confirmation that Kenyans stand with their team. I have come loaded with goodwill messages and people back home are glued to their screens knowing we have men and women who will run for the country." Endit