By Chris Mbaisi and Robin Toskin – reproduced with permission from The Standard

Athletics Kenya (AK) says it has nothing to do with the Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete whose citizenship has been revoked by his new country.

AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said on Monday that Mushir Salem Jawher, formerly Leonard Mucheru, will have to clear with the Kenya Government before dealing with them.

“The case at hand has nothing to do with us, we finished with Jahwer after he defected. At the moment he is a foreigner and will have to deal with the Government before we can think of touching him,” he said.

He said the matter rests with the Government, Bahrain and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Kiplagat said if Jawher wants to run for Kenya again, he would have to wait for three years to be cleared as per the IAAF rules.

” It is that serious and unfortunate for the young man,” he said.

Kenyan immigration officials said Mucheru risks arrest, as the Constitution does not provide for dual citizenship.

“There are no two ways about it. Technically he is not a Kenyan now whether he informed the authorities here or not. He risks arrest if found on Kenyan soil,” the official within the Citizenship Department said. [Read more…]