Athletes have been asked to volunteer information that will help shed light in the case involving three former Athletics Kenya (AK) officials suspended by the world governing body. Sharad Rao, who was named lead investigator in the case, said yesterday.

Rao, a former Director of Public Prosecutions and now chairman of Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board, said he is yet to receive documents from International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to start off the work.

“I am awaiting full documentation from IAAF, and will proceed immediately thereafter. Basically I am a sole investigator at this stage. I will first write to the three gentlemen to hear what they have to say about the accusations,” Rao, who was previously Legal Adviser (now Life Vice President) of Commonwealth Games Federation, said.

“Although I will expect the general public to volunteer information, much of my work will come from athletes, especially in the area of doping. I will conduct interviews and record statements to get the information,” he said.

AK former president Isaiah Kiplagat, vice president David Okeyo and 2015 world championships team leader and former treasurer, Joseph Kinyua were suspended on Monday for 180 days “in the interests of the integrity of the sport”, the IAAF Ethics Commission commission said in a statement on Monday.

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In the latest scandal to surround the beleaguered sport, the trio from one of the world’s most successful athletics nations also face accusations that they were involved in “the potential improper diversion from Athletics Kenya of funds received from Nike.”

The IAAF also said a prima facie case had “also been found to exist in respect of Mr Kiplagat in relation to receipt, personally or by Athletics Kenya, of an apparent gift of two motor vehicles” from the Qatar Athletics Federation in 2014-15.

The ethics commission stressed that the suspensions were provisional and “in no way” prejudged the outcome of the investigation to be carried out by barrister Sharad Rao.

The trio would remain presumed innocent until the outcome of the investigation, it added.