Kenyan Sprinter Mercy Adongo Oketch Suspended for Doping — image accompanying Canadian Running's report. Image accompanying Canadian Running’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Kenyan 400m national record holder Mercy Adongo Oketch has been provisionally suspended by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). She faces sanctions for trimetazidine and furosemide, substances found in her sample. Trimetazidine, a hormone and metabolic modulator, is used for heart conditions. Furosemide is a masking agent that dilutes urine.
Oketch, 24, set the 400m national record in 50.25 seconds in May 2025. She also holds the indoor 400m national record of 51.25 seconds. Her records may be in jeopardy pending a hearing. Kenya has faced numerous doping cases, ranking second globally in positive doping cases. Read more racing coverage.
Kenyan 800m runner Noah Kibet has also been suspended by ADAK for triamcinolone acetonide, a glucocorticoid used for inflammation. Kibet, 22, won a world indoor medal at 18 and set a personal best of 1:44.44 in 2023. His performance is now under scrutiny. Related: Teen Sprinter Bronson Hearn-Smith Signs with Matchroom.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Canadian Running. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
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Questions about this report
What should runners know about Kenyan Sprinter Mercy Adongo Oketch Suspended for Doping?
Kenyan 400m record holder Mercy Adongo Oketch faces suspension for prohibited substances. Kenyan 400m national record holder Mercy Adongo Oketch has been provisionally suspended by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). She faces sanctions for trimetazidine and furosemide, substances found in her sample. Trimetazidine, a hormone and metabolic modulator, is used for heart conditions. Furosemide is a masking agent that dilutes urine.
When did Runner World publish this racing brief?
Runner World published this brief on November 5, 2026. The underlying Canadian Running report was dated November 5, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Canadian Running. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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