Runners storm Athletics Kenya headquarters in Nairobi over corruption allegations
Protestors lock out officials, demand change amid claims of cover-ups, graft and doping in East African country, which boasts some of the world's finest middle and long-distance athletes
Dozens of Kenyan athletes stormed the local federation headquarters in Nairobi yesterday, locking out officials and demanding Athletics Kenya (AK) bosses step down over allegations of corruption and doping cover-ups.
Kenya, boasting some of the world's finest middle and long-distance runners, has in recent years been rocked by a spate of failed drug tests and the country's athletics federation has drawn criticism for not doing enough to tackle doping.
We are taking united action to bring sanity to Athletics Kenya management and leadership
Allegations of corruption among AK chiefs tied to a Nike sponsorship deal, combined with Russia's recent ban from global athletics, have stirred fears that the East African nation could be banned from international track and field.
The mostly low-level athletes swooped on the AK headquarters, ordering staff to leave and barricading themselves inside the building.
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"We are taking united action to bring sanity to Athletics Kenya management and leadership," the Professional Athletes' Association of Kenya (PAAK) said.
PAAK said the doping scandal and media claims that top AK officials had embezzled some sponsorship money deposited by US sports giant Nike were "putting genuine Kenyan athletes at risk of being banned".