Michael Rotich was filmed by undercover journalists working for a German television channel ARD and the Sunday Times British newspaper demanding for some 13,000 USD for agreeing to warn a British coach about imminent doping tests.
A Nairobi court has ordered the detention of embattled manager of the Kenya Olympics athletic team, Michael Rotich, who was recalled from Brazil over doping tests bribery claims.
He will be held for 28 days at the Gigiri Police Station as police conclude investigations into claims that Rotich solicited for bribes to warn athletes of scheduled doping tests.
Nairobi resident magistrate Christine Njagi yesterday said: “Doping is a serious offence that needs to be investigated since it has put Kenya into the limelight for the wrong reasons. I, therefore, allow the states application to detain the suspect for 28 days.”
The magistrate, however, said Rotich will be allowed access to his counsels and family members and also will be escorted to the hospital for medical checkup.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, through prosecutor Duncan Ondimu, had on Tuesday applied to have the accused detained for seven days to give police time to complete investigations but amended the application yesterday.
Ondimu told the court that police needed more days as they are pursuing leads from UK newspaper, Sunday Times, which made the allegations after a private investigation.
Rotich’s lawyer Ham Lagat unsuccessfully objected to the prosecution’s bid on grounds that his client is diabetic and continued detention would affect his health. But Ondimu argued that the accused would interfere with investigations if released.
