Titus Ekiru Suspended by Athletics Integrity Unit for Alleged Use of Prohibited Substances

• Titus Ekiru has been hit with a provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit
• The AIU believes the Kenyan marathoner has to answer for two of his wins from 2021
• Doping in Kenya continues to be an issue with at least 66 athletes on AIU's banned list

Kenya suffered another blow in its pursuit of clean sports after the Athletics Integrity Unit provisionally suspended Titus Ekiru.

The AIU confirmed the developments through its Twitter page, stating that Ekiru was suspended due to the presence of prohibited substances, Triamcinolone Acetonide and metabolite, Pethidine, as well as tampering.

Ekiru is the sixth-fastest marathoner of all time, having clocked a time of 2:02:57 in 2021 at the Milano City Marathon.

His win in Milan and Abu Dhabi later that year are among the races that are under investigation.

"The 31-year-old’s charges stem from AIU investigations into Ekiru’s positive in-competition doping tests after marathon victories in the Generali Milano Marathon on 16 May 2021 and the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon on 26 November 2021," the AIU said in its release.

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He has participated in at least 12 races (both marathons and half-marathons), losing only twice in the process. The AIU indicated in a press release that the 31-year-old faces a lengthy ban if found guilty.

"Additionally, the AIU now asserts Ekiru has cases to answer for tampering with the results-management processes by submitting falsified medical explanations and documentation to the AIU for both positive tests. This means the elite marathoner - who has the right to defend himself before the Disciplinary Tribunal - is facing a potential ten-year ban."

Samwel Imeta's suspension by ADAK

This comes almost a month after Samwel Imeta's fast-rising sprint career took a huge hit after he was provisionally suspended for alleged doping violations.

Sports Brief reported Imeta was among the 20 athletes suspended by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya as the country attempts to eradicate this vice.

The 24-year-old reportedly tested positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids during a Kenyan national meet at the Nyayo National Stadium on February 24.