Kenya’s Mercy Oketch Suspended Over Banned Substances — image accompanying Marathon Handbook's report. Image accompanying Marathon Handbook’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Kenya’s anti-doping agency suspended Mercy Oketch, the national 400m record holder, over two banned substances. The suspension took effect on Oct. 26, according to Marathon Handbook. The substances are trimetazidine and furosemide, both banned year-round.
Oketch holds the national records indoors and outdoors, set in May 2025 and January 2026. She competed in the World Championships and World Indoor Championships, reaching the semifinals and final, respectively. The suspension does not imply guilt, pending a hearing. Read more culture coverage.
Trimetazidine, used for angina, and furosemide, a diuretic, are both on WADA’s prohibited list. A first violation involving a non-specified substance can lead to a four-year ban, with additional years for multiple substances. This case adds to recent suspensions in Kenya. Related: NYC Marathon Sets Record with Over 60,000 Finishers.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
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What should runners know about Kenya’s Mercy Oketch Suspended Over Banned Substances?
Kenya’s 400m record holder Mercy Oketch faces suspension from competition. Kenya’s anti-doping agency suspended Mercy Oketch, the national 400m record holder, over two banned substances. The suspension took effect on Oct. 26, according to Marathon Handbook. The substances are trimetazidine and furosemide, both banned year-round.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on November 6, 2026. The underlying Marathon Handbook report was dated November 6, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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