Mercy Oketch holds Kenya’s women’s 400m national record.
Adak says the national 400m record holder tested positive for two prohibited substances, alongside other athletes facing anti-doping cases.
Kenyan 400m record holder Mercy Oketch faces provisional suspension after testing positive for two prohibited substances, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) says.
The agency named the world mixed 4x400m relay bronze medallist in a list published on Thursday. More than ten other athletes also face scrutiny over alleged anti-doping rule violations.
Adak said her sample tested positive for trimetazidine, a hormone and metabolic modulator, and furosemide, a diuretic and masking agent. However, her case remains subject to anti-doping procedures, and she retains the right to defend herself.
Mercy Oketch suspension among wider anti-doping cases
The provisional suspension list also includes distance runners and rugby players facing different anti-doping allegations. Most cases concern suspected use of prohibited substances, while others involve alleged failures to comply with sample collection.
Among the distance athletes named are Shadrack Kipkurui, Lameck Too, Justus Muasya, Mark Korir and Susan Njeri. Adak also listed Gladys Muthoni, Bethwel Kipsang, Sheila Jebichii and Esther Kioko.
Meanwhile, Eliud Mwangi and Bernard Kipkemoi face allegations of evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection. Their cases therefore concern the collection process rather than a reported positive test.
In rugby, Adak said samples from Derick Ochieng and John Shiemi tested positive for cannabinoids. The agency included the players alongside the track and distance athletes in its latest publication.
Adak clarifies Noah Kibet identity
The list also named track athlete Noah Kibet Cherokony, prompting confusion over his identity. Some athletics followers mistakenly associated the suspension with Noah Kibet, the 2022 World Indoor Championships 800m silver medallist.
In response, Adak issued a statement clarifying that the two athletes were different people. The agency said their similar names had led to the erroneous association among the public and sections of the media.
Separately, the Athletics Integrity Unit recently provisionally suspended reigning world marathon champion and Olympic gold medallist Peres Jepchirchir. Her out-of-competition sample, taken before the Sydney Marathon in late August, tested positive for erythropoietin, known as EPO.
Like Oketch, Jepchirchir retains the right to defend herself through the applicable anti-doping procedures. Both athletes face provisional suspensions while their cases proceed, rather than final sanctions.
