The National Police Service Spokesperson Resila Onyango has clarified reports of three Time World Champion Asbel Kiprop service as an officer Commanding Station (OCS).
In a statement to The Kenya Times, Resila has indicated that the Chief Inspector has not been posted to the position at Langata Police Station.
“According to our records, CI Asbel Kiprop has not been made up as the OCS Langata Police Station,” stated the police spokesperson.
Three Time World Champion Asbel Kiprop made a comeback to the limelight following reports that he has been installed the new Officer Commanding Station (OCS).
Images of the 1,500 meters champion circulated online have been proceeded by either congratulatory messages or ridicule and questions.
At the same time, several users online indicated that he had been installed to lead the Lang’ata police station.
The photo in reference, showed the former athlete in an office donned in an OCS uniform. He is seated in front of a blank desk taking a selfie, which is the resulting image.
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Is Asbel Kiprop the Lang’ata OCS?
The Kenya Times has since determined that the image was originally shared online by Asbel Kiprop through his social media platform. The photo has neither been doctored or posted in the wrong context.
While sharing the photo, Asbel stated that he was committed to community policing work.
“Community Policing doesn’t necessarily mean elite force. It means the sense of belonging & Relevancy for Integrity. I’m not an elite, But I’m a Champion,” he stated shortly before congratulatory messages started streaming in.
Additionally, the former athlete was wearing a shoulder badge with three military pattern stars and a corded navy-blue lanyard, a uniform that is specially worn by Chief Inspectors within the Kenya National Police Service.
Asbel also, invited his followers and online community to engage with him, emphasizing that he wanted to remain positive and impactful.
“Let’s engage in a positive way for Humanity and our Country for integrity. Media should be of positive vibe,” he added.
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The Former Athlete’s Stint in the Sports World
Shortly after he shared his photo, Asbel reshared several images from the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics, celebrating team Kenya and other sportsmen.
However, on July 26, at around 2:00 PM, the former athlete shared his frustration for missing out of the global event.
According to him, he was kicked out of the sport after false accusations calling for justice on his case, nearly over six years after he was implicated by the Athletics Integrity Unit.
“This would be My Fifth Olympic Appearance, had it not been of that False EPO Accusation. But I think the human in me will allow, only if justice speeds up to the Olympic Athlete Ability,” he stated.
The former athlete was suspended by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF’) s Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) in May 2019 after having tested positive to blood boosting Erythropoietin (EPO) in an out-of-competition test in Iten in November 2017.
However, in April 2019, the then Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai met with Asbel Kiprop, who was still Chief Inspector, at the National Police Service Headquarters-Jogoo House.
Mutyambai hailed the athlete as a hero that should not be forgotten.
“Chief Inspector Asbel Kiprop is our hero, we must never forget him,” said Mutyambai after the meeting.
Since then, Asbel has been vocal on and off online, insisting that he is innocent and did not deserve to be banned for a doping offense.
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