Claudio Berardelli now charged with administering EPO on Jeptoo

Athletics coach Claudio Berardelli (right), Stephen Kiplagat (centre) and Daniel Cheribo in a Nairobi court on August 2, 2016 where they were charged with administering an illegal substance to Rita Jeptoo Busienei with a view to injuring her athletics profession. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU |

What you need to know:

  • Berardelli, Tanui and Kiplangat were accused of administering EPO on Jeptoo, a three-time Boston Marathon champion. The three denied the charges.
  • The Magistrate directed each of the accused to deposit a cash bail of Sh50,000.
  • Berardelli was however directed to deposit a cash bail of Sh200,000.
  • The case will be heard on October 25 and 26.

Athletics coach Claudio Berardelli was on Tuesday charged with administering a banned performance-enhancing drug on former Boston and Chicago marathon champion Rita Jeptoo.

Berardelli was charged at the Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi, alongside Kapsabet-based pharmacist, Stephen Kiplagat Tanui alias Kalya, and Daniel Cheribo Kiplangat with conspiring to injure the athletes’ profession by administering blood booster Erythropoietin (EPO) through a prohibited method.

Besides the trio, Ken Mbalimo (doctor), Samson Kiprotich (clinical officer) and Joseph Mwangi (herbal dealer) were also charged with converting St Lukes Hospital in Eldoret into a centre for administering the prohibited substance to athletes.

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All the six were charged before Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku.

Lawyer Julius Kemboy for Berardelli applied to have the six released on bond, saying: “Berardelli had been out on police bond while police were investigating the matter. Investigations have been completed and the State should furnish him with statements recorded from the witnesses.”

Berardelli, an Italian national aged 36, was arrested on July 5 and detained in custody untill July 12 when he was released on a cash bail of Sh200,000 with an order to appeared in court on Tuesday for further direction. He was also ordered to deposit his travelling documents in court.

“I urge this court to prefer same bail terms as previous terms set by Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo,” Kemboy pleaded.

Berardelli, Tanui and Kiplangat were accused of administering EPO on Jeptoo, a three-time Boston Marathon champion. The three denied the charges.

The Magistrate directed each of the accused to deposit a cash bail of Sh50,000. Berardelli was however directed to deposit a cash bail of Sh200,000.

The case will be heard on October 25 and 26.

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