KCB Rugby and Kenya Simbas fly-half Brian Wahinya has opened up on his 2024 doping ordeal.In June 2024, Wahinya was provisionally suspended by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) after testing positive for cannabinoids, compounds associated with cannabis.
Wahinya was among 33 Kenyan sports personalities from athletics, rugby, basketball and handball caught up in a wave of sanctions that put their careers under scrutiny.
In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, Wahinya opened up about the shock and embarrassment that followed, admitting he had never imagined finding himself in such a situation.“The moment I got the news, it was very shocking, devastating, heartbreaking and embarrassing at the same time. As an athlete, I have dedicated all my life to this sport because I love it,” he recalled.Beyond the uncertainty surrounding his career, the experience forced him to confront the consequences of his actions and find a way to move forward.What he did not expect was the support that came from his club, teammates and the wider rugby fraternity.
Wahinya credits KCB, its management and players from other clubs for standing by him when he needed them most.Their messages of encouragement helped him deal with the weight of the situation.a“The support system that KCB gave me, from the bank, players, management, and players from other clubs, was something I did not expect. It gave me hope and eased the burden on me,” he said.The club urged him to remain calm as the matter was handled, while his teammates reminded him that things would eventually be okay.“The bank told me to be calm as they got everything under control. They still supported me. My teammates texted me, telling me to be strong as everything would eventually be okay,” he said.
His friends back home also played a crucial role. They gave him people he could speak to honestly about what he was going through, with some even offering to help him secure legal representation.“They are the only people I could talk to about everything, and they really came through. Guys even offered to be my lawyers or pay my lawyers,” he said.For Wahinya, being able to talk about the ordeal was part of finding his footing again.“Talking about it was the first step to healing,” he added.
But while he appreciates the people who stood by him, Wahinya is clear that support does not take away the need for personal accountability.Amonde reveals 4 key factors behind KCB’s Floodies semis return after two yearsHe was familiar with anti-doping education through ADAK training sessions and does not believe personal pressures should be used to excuse what happened.“There was definitely awareness. We do these ADAK trainings. If we start saying things like life pressures, etc., those are excuses. Everyone has something going on, and that is not an excuse to be on the wrong side of the coin,” he said.
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Instead, he hopes other athletes can learn from his experience, particularly about the importance of understanding anti-doping rules and the responsibility that comes with competing at the highest level.“But it happened to me, and maybe people would learn through me, or I would learn through it. I picked it as something that built me into a better man with greater character to date,” he said.
Under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, cannabinoids are prohibited in competition. Lawi Buyachi on pressures of succeeding Gibson Weru at Menengai Oilers’ after a decadeThe applicable sanction depends on the circumstances of the violation and the relevant anti-doping regulations.Wahinya’s return to the rugby field came relatively quickly. By late July 2024, he had been named in KCB Rugby’s squad for the Christie 7s, where he helped the Bankers clinch the title.