"It is absurd we get daily suspension from same country"- Fans frustrated as Kenya's Judy Jelagat Kemboi gets suspended for banned drug

The 19th Istanbul Half Marathon - Source: Getty
The 19th Istanbul Half Marathon - Source: Getty

Fans recently expressed their reaction as the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) suspended Kenyan athlete Judy Jelagat Kemboi for consumption of forbidden substances. This comes just a few days after her compatriot Ruth Chepngetich also received a suspension for the use of prohibited substances.

Ad

Notably, Kemboi has been charged with the consumption of hydrochlorothiazide, a performance-enhancing drug. However, as per reports, Kemboi will still have room to prove her innocence and describe her stance against these charges.

The AIU announced the news of Kemboi's suspension via a post on their X (formerly Twitter) handle. Several fans expressed their disappointment with Kenyan athletes facing regular scrutiny from the AIU.

Ad

One of the fans reacted to the post and questioned the continuous failures of drug tests among Kenyan athletes. The fan wrote:

"It is absurd that we get a daily drug suspension from the same Country."
Ad

Another netizen called out the Kenyan Athletics system for not monitoring their athletes. He wrote:

"Action needed against a system that appears not to be a deterrent or able to monitor athletes."
Ad

Another fan sarcastically remarked:

"AIU to Kenyan athletes every time..."
Ad

Here are a few other reactions:

"Is this a fight against the best performing Country!? 😯" wrote a fan.
"Disgraceful," posted another.
"What's the most secure job in Track & Field? Announcing Kenyan doping suspensions," remarked another.

Judy Jelagat Kemboi has been going through an impressive 2025 season that saw her clock the 14th fastest half-marathon run time of the year in 1:06.34.

A look into Judy Jelagat Kemboi's 2025 track and field season

Judy Jelagat Kemboi started off her 2025 season at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, finishing second in the event in a run time of 1:06:34, behind Ethiopia's Ejgayehu Taye. This run time was also her season-best performance this year.

Ad

Next up, she participated in the Medio Maraton Internacional in Mexico. She won the event and registered a run time of 1:07:45. Then, Kemboi travelled to Yangzhou where she raced the Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon event and missed the podium after a fourth place finish. Her most recent race was in April at the Istanbul Half Marathon, where she bagged a third-place finish in 1:07:47.

Judy Jelagat Kemboi also had an impressive run last year, where she clocked several top podium finishes. She had won half-marathon races in Gentrbugge, Geneve, Rimi Riga Half Marathon, and Xiamen. Besides, she had also clinched a runner-up finish at the notable Copenhagen Half-Marathon event.

Quick Links

Edited by Rupesh
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications