Relief for Kenya after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) spared the country from impending sanctions after taking the necessary steps to comply with the global body’s doping rules.
In an update issued on Friday, October 3, WADA commended the Anti-Doping Association of Kenya (ADAK) for developing a corrective action plan outlining how it intends to address, within four months, the outstanding critical requirements identified through an audit by WADA.
The update was issued after the expiry of a 21-day ultimatum issued to ADAK, after the global anti-doping body had deemed Kenya non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.
However, WADA noted that the decision was temporary, as its independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) would reassess the case and potentially make a further recommendation to its Executive Committee (ExCo).
“Until the CRC reassesses the case and potentially makes a further recommendation to the ExCo, and the ExCo reaches a subsequent decision, the aforementioned consequences for ADAK will not apply,” WADA noted.
WADA's update came after the Kenyan government announced it had undertaken comprehensive reforms at ADAK to ensure its compliance with global rules.
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya noted 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.
Kenya's Doping Troubles
In a meeting held on Thursday, September 11, WADA's Compliance Review Committee (CRC) accused ADAK of failing to comply with several requirements following an audit carried out last year.
The audit carried out in May 2024 exposed serious gaps in Kenya's anti-doping rules, regulations and legislation, with the audit revealing the country's failure to meet international anti-doping standards.
Kenya was thus given 21 days to file a response to the claims made by the Compliance Review Committee; failure to which a list of proposed consequences being implemented.
Consequences that could befall Kenya included ADAK being deemed ineligible to host any event hosted or organized, or co-hosted, or co-organized by WADA. Others were that representatives of ADAK would be ineligible to participate in any WADA Independent Observer Program, WADA Outreach Program, or other WADA activities.
Also, ADAK would not receive any WADA funding, plus its members would be prohibited from holding any WADA office or any position as a member of any WADA board or committee.
Critically, however, Kenya would risk its chances of hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships, which it recently applied for.
Even so, WADA informed that it would continue to provide updates in the case as the situation develops.
