Banned athlete ‘spills’ beans
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday November 24, 2025 08:25
She accuses the national anti-doping office of manipulating results and taking bribes from athletes.
Murangi said some athletes receive a warning, whilst others are suspended for similar offences.
“Our system is corrupt, athletes who dope are protected by the system. We are given the results of athletes who belong to the system.
“I know those athletes who have been warned (names known to this publication). We now believe that the results are switched,” she claimed.
Murangi raised concerns that doping results are no longer confidential, as athletes get to know about them on social media before they are sent to the individuals.
She said it is unfortunate that the moment it is announced that one has tested positive, they are said to have used a banned substance to enhance performance.
“I have fought this case, went to the Ministry of Sports and Arts (MoSA) because the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has never supported me. I was referred to a legal advisor. He promised to investigate. The minister failed me, the system failed me, the country failed, and I have no way out,” she bemaoned.
Murangi said upon return from the Diamond League in Doha in May, she was posting fast times, and then the nightmare came.
According to the athlete, she did not have a problem with being tested as she had nothing to worry about.
“In March, I started taking hormonal imbalance medication, and I was tested in April in Francistown. My coach knew about my condition. When I have hormonal imbalance issues, you are in panic mode, fighting for my health. It did not click to me to declare my medication because we were taught that it was not important. The only medication that should be declared is for chronic illnesses like asthma spray,” she explained.
Murangi revealed that the results came in June, and the announcement was not professionally handled. She said that before learning about the outcome, one official from the BAA went around announcing her results.
Murangi explained that her results were sent to her coach, and it was a shock because she had not consumed any illegal substance.
“What I knew was that my medication contained steroids because it was dealing with hormones. I was advised to submit my medical cards to the National Anti-Doping Office (NADO).
“I was requested to ask my doctor to fill out a therapeutic exemption form, which was done. NADO wanted me to provide them with information if my medication contained Oxymetholone. It was established that my medication did not contain the substance,” she said.
Murangi still denies any wrongdoing but has not appealed because she argues that athletes are oppressed.
She said it is unfair that athletes are given only a week to appeal. According to her, she was not able to request a B Sample due to financial challenges.
After testing positive, she said she could not receive all the money from the Diamond League and Kip-Keino Classic.
“I was forced to sign an admission form because I was told that if I admit, my suspension will be lesser and if I do not, it will be longer. In the beginning, I did not agree to sign.
“If I were to sign before September 9, I was going to be given three years, and four years if I did not admit. I signed the form not as admission,” she said.
Murangi revealed that she was requested to inform NADO of a list of athletes she suspected of using banned substances. But she indicated that she could not do so as she did not train or stay with them, therefore was unaware if they dope.
Murangi made history when she became the first Motswana female athlete in over a decade to be invited for the 100m B race at the 2025 Doha Diamond League, but her fortunes did not last as she was slapped with a three-year suspension for testing positive to a banned substance.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Sport and Arts (MoSA), Jacob Kelebeng, has said Murangi is free to come forward with evidence of her claims.
“If there are corruption allegations at the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO), athletes are allowed to come forward with the evidence, so that investigations can be conducted. That is something we need. The way forward is for us to continue with education, be closer to athletes and guide them,” Kelebeng said.
The minister said he could not interfere in doping issues as that goes against World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations, which might lead to the suspension of Botswana from international competitions.
Kelebeng told MmegiSport that he was aware of Murangi’s case, but as a member of the WADA Foundation, he did not want to be involved in the matter.
Fred Seno, the NADO coordinator, had not responded to MmegiSport's inquiry at press time regarding Murangi's allegations.