Mental health struggles have plagued the Kenyan athletics community. The issues manifest as domestic violence, alcohol abuse and suicide.
Depending on the source of the information, 80 to 300 Kenyan athletes have been suspended over recent years for doping, tampering, or missing tests three times in 12 months.
Kenya is at risk of being suspended altogether due to the scourge of doping that plagues the country. While athletes are pressured by their families to earn money through running, illegal performance-enhancing drugs are easily available at streetside, walk-up pharmacies.
On October 6, 26-year-old Kipyegon Bett, who was the 800-metre world bronze medallist in 2017, died in hospital in his hometown of Kericho in Western Kenya from kidney and liver failure brought on by alcohol. Clement Kemboi was found dead in Iten, the high-altitude training camp.
Sammy Wanjiru’s mysterious death continues to be the topic of discussion. He too suffered from alcohol abuse. The 24-year-old died from falling out of a window. Wanjiru won the 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon in an Olympic record time of 2:06:32. He also won in London and Chicago.
Benjamin Kiplagat died. Two Kenyans killed the 3000m steeplechaser. H was a Ugandan but was training in Kenya. Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder was mysteriously killed in a single-vehicle accident. There is speculation that he was being chased.
The desperation for money also causes violence. Agnes Tirop was murdered in her home by her husband. Rebecca Cheptegei was burned to death by her former husband. He died too. Both murders were over disputes to do with property ownership.
Athletics Kenya launched a toll-free hotline to support athletes facing gender-based violence. The aim is to create safer sports environments.
The number will be: 1195.
This initiative, a partnership between the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), Athletics Kenya (AK), and Equity Bank, aims to address and curb GBV within the country’s sports sector.
