Authorities in Kenya are actively pursuing a pharmacist accused of fueling the country’s ongoing doping crisis. The suspect, identified as James Cheruiyot Kipsanai, narrowly escaped arrest during a police raid last Thursday in Eldoret, a town in Kenya’s Rift Valley region known for producing elite long-distance runners.
Kipsanai is suspected of illegally supplying performance-enhancing drugs to athletes, a practice that has been under increasing scrutiny by both local and international anti-doping agencies. The fugitive has been under investigation since early 2024 by several key regulatory bodies, including the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).
The investigation first led to his arrest in January 2024 when he was operating a pharmacy in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Following a tip-off, authorities discovered that he had been treating athletes with banned substances, including triamcinolone acetonide a corticosteroid prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2014. Despite being apprehended at the time, a lack of sufficient evidence resulted in his release on police bond as the investigation continued.
Rather than ceasing his operations, Kipsanai resurfaced months later in Kapsoya, Eldoret, under the same pharmacy name Kerich Pharmacy. His continued involvement in the distribution of banned substances prompted a coordinated raid by the multi-agency task force last week. During the operation, Kipsanai reportedly locked himself inside the premises and managed a daring escape through the ceiling before the officers could break in.
Inside the pharmacy, authorities uncovered a disturbing cache of evidence, including numerous used vials of banned substances such as erythropoietin (EPO) and more triamcinolone acetonide. Both drugs are commonly used in doping to boost athletic performance, particularly endurance and recovery. In addition to the drugs, investigators noted that Kipsanai was practicing medicine without the appropriate licenses and failed to properly record the handling of controlled substances, such as testosterone-based treatments like Sustanon.
Investigators believe the suspect has played a significant role in supplying illegal performance enhancers to top-level athletes in the Rift Valley, an area internationally recognized for producing world-class runners. The case has raised serious concerns about the scope of doping networks operating within the country, as well as the effectiveness of regulation and enforcement.
The DCI has confirmed that new charges are being prepared based on findings from the latest raid, adding to existing legal proceedings that began with his initial arrest in Elgeyo Marakwet. With new evidence discovered in Uasin Gishu County, authorities plan to file multiple cases across jurisdictions, signaling a more aggressive legal strategy.
A warrant for Kipsanai’s arrest was first issued in January 2025 after he failed to appear in court. His disappearance following last week’s raid has now escalated the matter into a national manhunt.
Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information that may lead to his capture, as the country battles to restore its credibility in the global sporting arena. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in the fight against doping and highlights the urgent need for vigilance and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
