A Kenyan senator has expressed strong criticism towards sports organizations for their lack of action following an incident in which a dog chased Robert Kimutai Ng’eno during the Buenos Aires marathon in Argentina last week.

Reports indicate that Ng’eno, a Kenyan runner who was leading the race with just 4km (2.5 miles) to go, was unexpectedly pursued by the canine.

Despite attempts by some spectators to chase the dog away, the encounter reportedly disrupted Ng’eno's concentration, ultimately causing him to finish in third place.

His compatriots, Cornelius Kiplagat and Paul Kipngetich Tanui, claimed the first and second positions.

A widely shared photo of the dog chasing Ng’eno has ignited discussions on social media, with some questioning why more wasn't done to protect the athlete.

Kenyan Senator Samson Cherargei voiced his concerns, stating, "The athlete was stripped of his dignity and subjected to unwarranted ridicule."

He further argued that both Kenya's Sports Minister, Ababu Namwamba, and Athletics Kenya had let the runner down, emphasizing their failure to advocate for an investigation by Argentine authorities.