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Kenyan marathon runner Michael Njenga Kunyuga has been handed an eight-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) due to multiple doping violations.

The ban will be backdated to August 1, 2022. Kunyuga was found guilty of three separate offences, including the presence of a prohibited substance (19-norandrosterone), use of a prohibited substance (Nandrolone or Nandrolone precursors), and tampering with the doping control process.

Michael Njenga Kunyuga disqualification

His disqualification from competition results since May 15, 2022, is part of the consequences of this decision.

The AIU has confirmed that Kunyuga’s period of ineligibility will last for eight years, starting from August 1, 2022. His results from May 15, 2022, and onwards have been disqualified, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance money.

“On the basis that the Athlete is deemed to have admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violations under
Rule 2.1 ADR, Rule 2.2 ADR and Rule 2.5 ADR and in accordance with Rule 10.2.1 ADR Rule
10.3.1 ADR, Rule 10.9.3(c) ADR, Rule 9 ADR and Rule 10.10 ADR, the AIU confirms by this
decision the following Consequences for a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation,” part of AIU ruling reads.

“A period of Ineligibility of eight (8) years commencing on 1 August 2022 (the date of
Provisional Suspension); and disqualification of the Athlete’s results since and including 15 May 2022, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points,
prizes and appearance money,” the ruled added.

The AIU’s investigation revealed that on May 15, 2022, Kunyuga provided a urine sample during the Riga Marathon in Latvia, which was later analyzed. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Dresden, Germany, reported an adverse analytical finding, indicating the presence of 19-Norandrosterone, a metabolite of Nandrolone, a prohibited substance.

Michael Njenga Kunyuga claims

Despite Kunyuga’s claims of legitimate medical treatment for knee and back pain in early 2022, medical records and documents supporting his explanations were found to be forged or fraudulent.

The Iten County Referral Hospital confirmed that they had no record of any prescription or medication administered to Kunyuga. Additionally, the Nyahururu County Referral Hospital denied any patient record or treatment related to the athlete.

Kunyuga’s failure to provide a valid explanation for the presence of the prohibited substance led to the imposition of the eight-year ban, which is the standard penalty for such doping offenses. The AIU also applied Rule 10.9.3(c), treating the tampering violation as a stand-alone first violation, resulting in a consecutive eight-year period of ineligibility.

The athlete was informed of his rights to challenge the AIU‘s assertion of the doping rule violations or the consequences and had multiple opportunities to respond to the charges, all of which he failed to utilize.

This decision by the AIU is considered final. However, the athlete, as well as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), have the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. If any such appeal is lodged, the athlete would have the option to cross-appeal.