Kenyan court grants police request to detain Italian sports agent till Friday

A court in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi has approved a request for the detention of an Italian sports agent for two more days as investigations continue into doping charges against him.

Federico Rosa is being questioned by Kenyan police over the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes managed by his company, court documents showed on Wednesday (July 6).

The request for extension of Rosa’s detention was granted by the Chief Magistrate of the Kibera court, Bernard Ochoi.

Rosa has not been charged and was not required to enter a plea by the Chief Magistrate of the Kibera court.

Rosa, who runs the Italy-based Rosa & Associati is accused of having “conspired to cause injury by doping to the reputation and profession of athletes,” according to a police request submitted to court for an extension of Rosa’s detention.

The affidavit, signed by Police Chief Inspector Joseph Indeke and presented to the Nairobi Chief Magistrate’s Court, also accused Rosa of “preventing some of them from their lawful exercise of their profession” due to doping.

“Considering the statements by the investigating officer, the investigations have already begun and are ongoing. I would direct that the suspect be remanded until Friday this week,” said Kibera Principal Magistrate Benard Ochoi.

The development comes as Kenya is already embroiled in a doping scandal that could affect the chances of its athletes set to compete in the Rio Olympic games next month.

Kenya has faced frequent allegations of doping with some 40 cases reported in the past four years.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) last month said competitors from Russia and Kenya, would have to be screened individually before being allowed to participate in the Rio Games next month, given the recent history of doping in both countries.

Rosa’s Italy-based firm has managed several top athletes including former Boston City Marathon and Chicago Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo who failed an out-of-competition test for the banned blood-booster EPO.

Kenya’s president has signed into law an anti-doping amendment bill after the World Anti-Doping Agency said it needed to be fine-tuned to comply with WADA’s code.