NAIROBI, Kenya — The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan half marathon runner Judy Jelagat Kemboi for a doping violation, adding her name to a growing list of athletes sanctioned this year. The suspension, announced on Thursday, comes after she tested positive for a prohibited substance.
Jelagat, who is 26, has been provisionally suspended for the presence and use of Hydrochlorothiazide. This substance is a diuretic, commonly known as a “water pill,” which is used to increase urine flow and can be utilized by athletes as a masking agent to hide the use of other performance-enhancing drugs.
The suspension marks a significant setback for the runner, who has had a strong season. She was the champion of the Guadalajara Half Marathon in Mexico in February and secured a second-place finish in the prestigious Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, as well as a third-place finish in the Istanbul Half Marathon.
Jelagat’s case highlights a broader, troubling trend in Kenyan athletics. She is the latest of 25 Kenyan athletes to be sanctioned this year by either the AIU or the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
Her suspension follows closely on the heels of other high-profile cases, including that of women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich, who was also suspended for the presence of Hydrochlorothiazide on July 17.
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Other notable Kenyan athletes sanctioned this year for various doping violations include Roncer Kipkorir Konga, who was flagged for the use of Testosterone, and Morine Michira, who received a two-year ban for using Higenamine and Octodrine.
The list also includes two-time national cross country champion Sheila Chelangat and world half marathon silver medallist Kibiwott Kandie.
In a separate development, ADAK sanctioned 2018 world and Africa under-20 5,000m champion Edward Zakayo and 2023 world cross country team gold medallist Edinah Jebitok earlier this year.
Both were handed two-year bans, with Zakayo becoming eligible to compete again in August 2026 and Jebitok in October 2026.
