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NAIROBI, July 9-- Former Commonwealth 10,000m champion Joyce Chepkirui and Hamburg marathon bronze medalist Jacob Kendagor have been suspended for failing anti-doping tests. The duo now makes six the number of elite Kenyan athletes who have been reprimanded by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for use of banned substances in the last three months alone. "The AIU confirms a provisional suspension against Kenyan long-distance runners Jacob Kendagor and Joyce Chepkirui for violations of the anti-doping rules," said a statement from AIU on Tuesday. Chepkirui, who is a former Africa 10,000m champion, has not raced this year. Her last race was in Honolulu, Hawaii in the U.S. in December 2018 where she failed to complete the race. However, the AIU report that her suspension was effected after her test revealed use of a prohibited substance. On the other hand, Kendagor may be forced to stay out of competition for two years after he failed to submit or avail himself to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officials to conduct the tests on him. "Kendagor is suspended for evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection," said a statement from AIU. "Chepkirui sample test found use of a prohibited substance. Their cases will remain under investigation." In doping cases, a provisional suspension is mandatory under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules following an adverse analytical finding for any non-specified substance on the prohibited list. | 
