Kenyan Athlete Sends Look-alike for Doping Test, Faces Four-Year Ban

Kenyan middle-distance runner Michael Saruni made a bold escape from doping control officers during the country's trials for the delayed 2021 World Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games.

This well-planned evasion took place on June 25, 2022, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Saruni, known for his exceptional performance in the 600m indoor event and his accomplishments in the Olympics, was caught up in a controversy when he avoided doping tests. As a result of a thorough investigation, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has imposed a four-year ban on him.

Witnesses, including ADAK officials Karen Wairimu, Antony Kamau, Fredrick Makale, and Michael Omollo, provided compelling accounts during the trial. Wairimu described her interaction with Saruni, informing him of his selection for doping control. Initially, Saruni agreed to cooperate but later tried to avoid scrutiny by claiming he had tested positive for COVID-19 the previous week. Kamau and Omollo became suspicious when Saruni changed his clothes and displayed questionable behaviour.

They noticed him hurrying into a restroom and locking himself in a stall. Despite their attempts to persuade him to come out, Saruni remained elusive and eventually escaped over a perimeter wall. Saruni's plan to escape came to a halt when he dropped money, prompting authorities to intercept Dennis Mwangi Mburu, mistaking him for Saruni. Mburu's capture shed light on Saruni's intricate scheme to avoid detection.

Saruni's defence crumbled under the weight of evidence presented by ADAK. Despite his claims of being wrongly identified, ADAK firmly established Saruni's identity through bib number verification and witness testimony. Furthermore, Saruni's financial transactions with Mburu further incriminated him, damaging his credibility. The Sports Dispute Tribunal panel consisting of Chairperson Elynah Sifuna-Shiveka, along with members Njeri Onyango and Peter Ochieng meticulously examined the case. Their verdict confirmed Saruni's guilt, dismissing his feeble attempts to shift blame.