Woman, 58, Detained at JKIA for Carrying Doping Substance

Police are questioning a woman who was found in possession of a doping substance at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The lady had just arrived from Mumbai when her luggage was searched and a variety of medications were identified. Among them was triamcinolone acetonide injection, a material included in the global anti-doping prohibited list. The police reported that she did not possess a license or any other document authorizing her to import, manage, or trade such drugs.

She told the police that her doctors had prescribed the medicine to treat her skin conditions, however, the authorities declared that she had no documents to support her claims. The officials confiscated the substance and asked her to report back for further investigations.

Triamcinolone acetonide injection is a manufactured corticosteroid medication used on the skin to treat a range of skin conditions, to reduce the distress of mouth sores, and by injection into joints to address different joint issues. The skin conditions include eczema, dermatitis, allergies, and rash, however, officials state that a permit is necessary to handle the drug. 

Doping has become a major concern in the country. In competitive sports, doping is the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs by sports participants as a means of cheating. The Ministry of Sports has set up the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) with a mission to serve as a top-notch Anti-Doping Agency, shielding clean athletes and encouraging fair competition. They have also provided a compilation of prohibited substances related to doping.