Kiprop hits front from the gun

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

The starter pistol has gone off. Asbel Kiprop, often known to run from the back before engaging the afterburners and leaving his opponents gasping for breath, has this time decided to run from the front.

Yesterday evening, the lanky 1,500m 2008 Olympic champion and three-time world king released a statement through his lawyer, Katwa Kigen, alleging Doping Control Officials (DCOs) sought money from him when they visited him to take samples on November 27 last year.

Kiprop, 28, names Simon ‘Mburu’ Karugu and Paul Scott, whom he knew from past tests.

Kigen and Karim Khan were the lead lawyers who oversaw the dismissal of the case against Deputy President William Ruto and radio personality Joshua Sang at the International Criminal Court.

The four-lap master’s run from the gun promises a spell-binding and potentially long-drawn battle that could eventually leave one party irreparably damaged.

Either the mile specialist or Wada’s Integrity Unit will tip over the cliff.

Request obliged

In a statement yesterday, the Daegu 2011, Moscow 2013 and Beijing 2015 world men’s 1,500m winner alleged ‘Mburu’ asked him for money, a request he obliged.

“After the Doping Control Officers (Mr Paul Scott and Mr Simon Karugu “Mburu”) arrived at 7.50am, and after I had given them the urine sample, Mr Simon Karugu “Mburu” asked (for the first time in their visits) if I could give them some money. He did not specify how much they needed. At 8.11am I forwarded to them money through Mr Simon Karugu “Mburu”’s phone using M-Pesa,” said the statement.

“As a police officer I found it wise to send by M-Pesa for record. I did not at the time expect that the request for the money had anything to do with the sample. At that time I did not see the money as inducement or bribe for anything... In retrospect I now clearly see the money as having a relation with the sample collected on that date, and even the irregular advance notice I was given. Mr Simon Karugu “Mburu” acknowledged verbally and audibly receiving the M-Pesa money while he was seated next to Mr Paul Scott.”