The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya and Kenyan court system announced on Friday that Aman Malik, a 19-year-old Indian national, was convicted of possessing performance-enhancing substances and sentenced to three years in prison.
Malik was arrested in May in Iten, Kenya as part of a larger investigation of banned drugs in the region that is typically used as a base for distance runners. He was caught in possession of human growth hormone, meldonium and mannitol.
“The conviction and sentencing of Mr. Malik demonstrates that Kenya’s legal and regulatory frameworks are operational and effective in protecting clean athletes.” ADAK chief executive Peninah Wahome said in a statement. “ADAK takes this opportunity to remind athletes and their support personnel that possession, use, or trafficking of prohibited substances constitutes a violation under the Anti-Doping Act and the World Anti-Doping Code. Violations carry severe sporting, legal, and reputational consequences. ADAK provides education, guidance, and support to athletes to ensure they compete clean and uphold Kenya’s proud sporting legacy.”
Malik faced four counts of possession and trafficking the banned substances and was also ordered to pay a 1 million Kenya shillings (about $7,720 USD) in fine. He will be given an additional 12 months in prison if he does not pay the fine.
The sentences will be served concurrently on each count and Malik will be deported to India once he is released from prison.
At the time of his arrest, Malik was part of the focus of an investigation by the ADAK and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
News of his conviction comes days before the World Anti-Doping Agency is set to issue penalties on October 2 against Kenya for non-compliance of guidelines regarding how athletes are tested.
Kenya can appeal any sanctions on or before October 2, which can include funding cuts, exclusion from participation in administrative-level programs and Kenyan officials can be banned from holding positions on WADA committees.
This year, 19 Kenyan athletes have faced doping suspensions with nearly 400 facing bans since 2016.
The bans have included well known athletes like Wilson Kipsang, Rhonex Kipruto, Lawrence Cherono, Rita Jeptoo and Ruth Chepngetich, the current women’s world record holder in the marathon.
Chepngetich was given a provisional suspension in July after a March drug test detected hydrochlorothiazide in a urine sample days after she finished second in the Lisbon Half Marathon.
Last October, Chepngetich, 30, shattered the women’s record at the Chicago Marathon in 2:09:56. She is the first woman to run below 2:10 and she previously won in Chicago in 2021 and 2022.
