Kenyan athletics is going down a slippery slope according to athlete Julius Yego. The javelin star opened up on the negative reputation the East African country is currently has, with 17 of its athletes being suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a range of violations this year.
A further eight Kenyans are currently on provisional suspensions, with the outcomes of their cases pending. While speaking to BBC Sport Africa, the 2015 world champion condemned those who have taken illegal substances and has called for more athletes to speak out about the dangers of doping.
"Whoever is indulging in these drugs should be ashamed of himself or herself," Yego said. "We should raise our voices and create awareness. If we do not speak up, then we are going [down] a very dangerous path. Then Kenya will be nowhere in athletics."
The 33-year-old continued: "Ignorance is the worst thing, that has killed many athletes. "Maybe someone wants a shortcut to success. The only way to success is serious training. Responsibility lies with athletes here."
Ababu Namwamba, the cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, claimed Kenya will fight valiantly against the issue in the country - which he called a “serious war against doping". He added: " We are going to criminalise doping to levels you cannot imagine. We are going to be very, very harsh.
"Kenya is a very proud sporting nation. We pride ourselves for being world-beaters, but we beat the world playing clean. I want all of us to say 'no' to doping." Since last year, 10 Kenyan athletes have tested positive for a banned substance called triamcinolone acetonide, while just two other athletes from other nations tested positive for the same substance.
It is a synthetic corticosteroid medication administered via injection into joints to treat various joint conditions. It is also used topically to treat various skin conditions, such as relieving the discomfort of mouth sores.
Namwamba says he aims to bring proposals to amend Kenya's laws to criminalise doping.
"As a government, we are going to make doping very expensive - to elevate doping substances to the same level as hard drugs," he added. "If we catch you engaged in doping, we shall punish you severely."
