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On July 23, it was announced by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) that three more northeastern Africans tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. They are Eritrean Berhane Tesfay with EPO, Roncer Kipkorir Konga of Kenya for testosterone and Morine Gesare Michira also of Kenya with higenamine and octodrine in the system.
These announcements came a day after two other Kenyans were suspended, which came the day after the marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich was provisionally suspended.
On July 15, another Kenyan was busted.
It just so happens that the AIU is seeking another investigator. The job posting is here.
Higenamine and octodrine
Higenamine is a stimulant found in various plants and also sold as an ingredient in some dietary supplements, particularly for weight loss and athletic performance. It has beta-agonist activity and has been studied for potential uses in treating certain heart conditions.
Octodrine, also known as dimethylhexylamine (DMHA), is sold under the brand name Vaporpac among others. It is a sympathomimetic and stimulant medication that was formerly used in the treatment of hypotension or low blood pressure. It improves cardiac output.
EPO or Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone primarily produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. It plays a crucial role in maintaining adequate oxygen levels in the body by improving the supply of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. When the body experiences low oxygen levels (hypoxia), the kidneys release EPO to signal the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
Living at altitude puts athletes in a hypoxic state, but adding EPO further improves the rate of red blood cell production even more.
Personal bests of the three
Tesfay has a marathon personal best of 2:07:07 from the 2023 running of the Košice Peace Marathon. His half-marathon best is 1:00:54 from the 2018 Breda Half Marathon in Breda, Holland.
Thirty-year-old Konga ran a 59:08 in 2023 at the Buenos Aires Half Marathon in Argentina; otherwise, he was not at the international level — a red flag performance.
Michira ran the 2024 Milan Half Marathon in a time of 1:08:31, which is fast for a 21-year-old. She also ran 1:08:40 in Milan at age 20 and 1:08:47 in 2025 at the age of 22. She will be 23 in November, if her indicated birth date is to be believed.
Kenya has had approximately 400 athletes suspended for doping-related offences over the past decade. Soon, the country will be reduced to recruiting former Kenyans who now run for Bahrain and elsewhere.
