Edward Zakayo, a former world under-20 champion, has opened up about the devastating impact a simple human error had on his athletic career. The 23-year-old Kenyan long-distance runner revealed how losing his phone during a trip in November 2023 led to an ongoing suspension that has ruined his career and personal life.
Zakayo was returning from a race in Spain when he mistakenly left his small hand luggage, which contained his phone, power bank, and key access to his ADAMS (Anti-Doping Administration and Management System) account, on a plane during a layover in Dubai. Despite his frantic efforts to retrieve it, including pleading with airline staff, the phone remained out of reach. With only 30 minutes to catch his connecting flight to Nairobi, Zakayo had no choice but to leave without his phone.
This seemingly minor mistake spiraled into a major crisis. Once back in Kenya, Zakayo was unable to update his whereabouts with the relevant authorities due to his lost phone and a delayed response from the airline. The failure to access critical systems left him vulnerable to missing a doping test, triggering a suspension by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
The athlete’s frustration grew as he was caught in a bureaucratic nightmare. When he eventually managed to replace his phone and meet ADAK officials in 2024, he was told there were no missed tests. However, ADAK later imposed a missed test on him, citing a supposed violation that he couldn’t understand. When he questioned the agency’s process, the response was dismissive, leaving him feeling helpless.
Zakayo’s struggles continued during the National Trials in May 2024, where, after enduring humiliation and confusion at various offices, he was told there was no issue with his status—though the opportunity to compete had already passed. Despite his resilience and continued international success in races across Africa and Europe, the emotional toll of the suspension weighed heavily on him.
The suspension, announced in August 2024, came at a time when Zakayo’s wife was pregnant, and his family faced severe financial strain. Zakayo’s suspension not only ended his dreams of securing his family’s future but also left him devastated and financially crippled. He expressed how, despite his dedication to the sport and his clean record, he felt betrayed by a system that should have protected him.
Zakayo’s story is a sobering reflection of the harsh realities athletes face in Kenya, where dreams of success can be shattered by bureaucracy, miscommunication, and systemic failures. Despite his commitment to clean competition, Zakayo’s future in athletics remains uncertain, and his personal and professional life continues to suffer.
