Kenya has long been renowned for its dominance in distance running, but the country’s athletics community is now facing yet another crisis that threatens its reputation.
A major investigation led by World Athletics’ Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has uncovered widespread age fraud among Kenyan athletes, including Olympians. The findings could have serious consequences for both individuals and the nation’s athletics governing body, Athletics Kenya (AK).
A Deep-Rooted Issue in Kenyan Athletics
Age manipulation in sports isn’t new, but the extent of it in Kenya is alarming. Athletics Kenya has identified at least 30 potential cases, with suspicions going back as far as 2016. Some athletes were removed from Team Kenya before the 2023 World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, after evidence showed they had falsified their birth records.
“It involves parents, coaches, teachers, and athletes, who are already talking to us. They have given us credible leads, and the revelations are disturbing,” said AK’s Director of Youth and Development, Barnaba Korir. “These are young people who were coaxed into cheating by their parents, coaches, and teachers. These athletes and some parents are talking, revealing what happened.”
“What I can tell you is that it is even worse compared to doping, which is an individual affair. Age cheating involves a system, and that is why we have involved AIU for thorough vetting.”
Unlike doping, which tends to be more of an individual act, age fraud requires high-level collusion. Coaches, parents, school officials, and even government officers are allegedly working together to alter birth certificates and passports, allowing older athletes to compete in under-20 events.
The Investigation and Findings
The AIU, working alongside AK, has been collaborating with Kenyan immigration officials and civil registry offices to verify birth records. Investigators have also reached out to hospitals where some of the suspected athletes claim to have been born, and what they’ve found is troubling.
World Athletics had already put measures in place to curb this issue, requiring that athletes use passports issued before June 30 and complete visa applications by July 7 for the U20 Championships. But despite these efforts, falsified documents still made their way through.
One of the biggest hurdles in tackling this problem is the legal system. Korir admitted that in some cases, AK had to allow suspected age cheats to compete because court injunctions prevented them from taking immediate action.
Why Age Cheating Matters
Age fraud creates a massively uneven playing field.
Athletes who misrepresent their age gain a massive advantage, competing against younger, less physically developed competitors. This not only skews results but also takes opportunities away from genuine young athletes trying to advance their careers.
Beyond that, it adds to the ongoing damage to Kenya’s credibility in athletics. The country is already under scrutiny due to widespread doping violations, with over 100 Kenyan athletes currently serving suspensions for drug-related offenses.
“We have been focusing on doping that has gotten out of hand, but age cheating is becoming a new challenge,” AK President Jack Tuwei admitted.
The Eliud Kipchoge Age Controversy
Age fraud in Kenyan athletics isn’t limited to junior-level athletes.
Even Eliud Kipchoge has faced speculation about whether he is older than his official records suggest.
Kipchoge, whose birthdate is listed as November 5, 1984, has been the subject of rumors questioning his age, with some alleging that he may be older.
These speculations gained traction in 2018 when New Zealand marathoner Zane Robertson, who trained extensively in Kenya, claimed Kipchoge was already over 40 at that time.
Robertson suggested that many Kenyan athletes have falsified passport ages to compete in junior categories and secure contracts. While no concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims, the fact that such speculation exists only adds to the broader concerns about age manipulation in Kenyan athletics.
Unlike the cases currently under AIU investigation, no official body has accused Kipchoge of wrongdoing.
Possible Sanctions and Consequences
Athletes caught falsifying their age could face severe penalties, including bans, loss of titles, and being stripped of medals won in international competitions.
But the consequences could extend far beyond the athletes themselves. If AIU confirms widespread fraud, Athletics Kenya itself could be sanctioned, potentially facing financial penalties or even bans from international events.
Korir made it clear that the investigation won’t just stop at the athletes. Coaches, parents, and school officials involved in the fraud could also face consequences.
“No one is going to be spared,” he warned.
A History of Scandals in Kenyan Athletics
This isn’t the first time Kenyan athletics has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
In recent years, the country has faced a doping crisis, with many high-profile athletes testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Initially, the Kenyan government committed $5 million to fight doping, but after hundreds of athletes were exposed, funding was halted.
The result? A temporary drop in positive tests—but many believe the problem hasn’t just gone away.
Governance issues within Athletics Kenya have also fueled controversy.
Recently, a fake revised constitution was circulated, allegedly created by individuals attempting to manipulate the organization’s operations. AK denied any involvement, dismissing it as a distraction from their efforts to clean up the sport.
Meanwhile, the pressure of competing in a flawed system has taken a toll on Kenyan athletes’ mental health. Cases of domestic violence, alcohol abuse, and even suicides have increasingly made headlines in recent years. Some athletes have struggled under the weight of expectations, unable to cope with the challenges of maintaining success in a system that appears broken.
If Kenya fails to act, it risks further international repercussions, including bans from major competitions like the Olympics and World Championships.
