Athletics Kenya has warned that athletes and coaches found engaging in doping will face the music.
This comes shortly after the suspension of two Kenyan athletes on doping allegations. Former world Marathon record-holder Wilson Kipsang and World U-20 800m champion Alfred Kipketer, failed to reveal their whereabouts and one tampered with the samples.
At a press conference on Friday at Riadha house, AK President Rtd. General Jackson Tuwei said that they are committed to ending the doping menace with the help of relevant authorities including, Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU), Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and the Kenyan government.
He cautioned athletes against taking short cuts and urged them to work hard lest they are caught up by the system.
"There is nowhere to hide for them and it is either they work hard and remain relevant in the sport or hang their spikes all together; because the anti-doping winds are too strong for those who want to engage in hide and seek,"Tuwei said.
He retaliated that AK cannot be blamed for doping threat owing to its cooperation with AIU and ADAK and having taken a step further to educate athletes on anti-doping requirements.Thus, athletes were to blame for their inability to manage their whereabouts despite knowing the repercussions.
"Doping is a choice and victims should take full responsibility and face the consequences. Either this is an act of ignorance or a deliberate move to take a short cut to stardom," he added.
Tuwei reminded athletes that nobody should cry foul once nabbed and said that they will only work with clean athletes.
"Those sanctioned or found guilty of doping should plan their retirement because there will be no second chance," Tuwei warned.
The AK boss further directed coaches to register with the AK to enable it monitor their activities with the runners.
"AK will not tolerate coaches who want to loiter the country in pretext of coaching athletes yet are engaged in other activities," he cautioned.
In addition, the AK president said that they are waiting for Parliament to approve a bill that will make doping illegal.
Tuwei noted that they will continue testing athletes often without notice as ADAK is set to get further funding.