Former half marathon world record holder Kibiwott Kandie has been handed a seven-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after admitting to two serious anti-doping rule violations.
The sanction, which runs from March 14, 2025, to March 13, 2032, effectively sidelines the Kenyan athlete from competitive athletics for the remainder of his prime years.
In a statement seen by our editorial team on June 25, the AIU confirmed that Kandie admitted to refusing to submit to a doping test and tampering with the doping control process.
The violations are considered among the most serious offences under anti-doping regulations.
According to the AIU, Kandie was initially facing an eight-year suspension. However, the penalty was reduced by one year after he accepted responsibility early, admitted the violations, and agreed to the sanction without challenging the case through a lengthy legal process.
The case stems from an out-of-competition test conducted on March 1, 2025. A Doping Control Officer and a chaperone reportedly visited Kandie’s residence in Kenya to collect samples. The athlete signed an electronic Doping Control Form acknowledging that he was required to provide samples.
Investigators say Kandie then delayed the process while making several phone calls before informing the officer that he needed to travel to Eldoret to deal with issues at a construction site.
The Doping Control Officer reportedly warned him that refusing to provide samples carried the same consequences as a positive test. Despite the warning, Kandie left the property.
Following the incident, the AIU launched an investigation that included a review of Kandie’s phone and financial records. Investigators discovered 11 money transfers made to a registered nurse in Eldoret during the 12 months leading up to the failed test.
The athlete later submitted a document from the National Environment Management Authority in an attempt to challenge his provisional suspension, claiming he was urgently required in Eldoret on the day of the test.
However, Kenyan authorities later confirmed that the certificate was not genuine.
AIU Head Brett Clothier said the organisation has the investigative capacity to uncover attempts to evade anti-doping procedures regardless of an athlete’s status or achievements.
Kandie had built an impressive career, including setting the half marathon world record of 57 minutes and 32 seconds in Valencia in 2020. He also won the race in 2022 and 2023 and claimed a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Despite those achievements, the ban marks a major setback in the career of one of Kenya’s most accomplished distance runners.
