A fortnight after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) warned Kenya against non-compliance with the anti-doping regulations, the government has undertaken reforms to strengthen the sector.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said that the government had embarked on comprehensive anti-doping reforms to restore the country’s global reputation as a powerhouse of clean athletics and fair competition.
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Mvurya added that the reforms will enhance the technical capacity of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) through a robust policy and legal framework that meets global best practices.
The CS revealed that the National Treasury had committed to ring-fencing funding for anti-doping programs, ensuring ADAK has sustainable resources to execute its mandate.
“The government is providing an action plan and commitment beginning with the supplementary budget to allocate additional funding for ADAK in this financial year,” Mvurya stated.
He clarified that the reforms will also focus on restructuring the agency to strengthen its board and technical personnel in line with international standards.
“We are reviewing the organogram to bring on board the right experts needed to enhance ADAK’s efficiency and effectively manage anti-doping programs in Kenya,” he added.
Mvurya disclosed that President William Ruto's administration was in constant communication with WADA on the implementation of the corrective action plan.
"We expect a positive response in the coming months. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting the integrity of our sport,” the CS affirmed.
Gaps in Anti-Doping Rules
Mvurya's statement comes two weeks after WADA accused the Kenyan National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) of failing to comply with several international anti-doping regulations.
WADA, in a statement on September 12, revealed that an audit carried out in May 2024 exposed serious gaps in Kenya's anti-doping rules, with the audit faulting the East African nation for consistency in non-compliance.
Kenya was thus given 21 days to respond to the claims lodged by WADA's investigative team, failure to which a list of proposed consequences would be implemented.
