Kenya has made notable strides in meeting international anti-doping standards, earning a temporary reprieve from sanctions by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The development comes after WADA’s review of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) highlighted critical gaps during a May 2024 audit.
On Friday, October 3, WADA issued an update praising ADAK for preparing a corrective action plan to address the outstanding issues within a four-month timeframe.
The plan was submitted before the 21-day deadline given to Kenya to respond to the compliance notice issued by WADA, which had earlier classified ADAK as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.
“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 said.
The Kenyan government announced reforms at ADAK aimed at strengthening the agency’s capacity to meet global anti-doping rules. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya emphasized that the changes will enhance ADAK’s operations through a robust legal and policy framework aligned with international standards.
He added that the National Treasury has committed to ring-fencing funds for anti-doping programs to ensure ADAK has reliable resources to carry out its work.
WADA’s Compliance Review Committee (CRC) had previously flagged ADAK for failing to meet multiple requirements following last year’s audit. The audit revealed shortcomings in the country’s anti-doping laws, regulations, and overall governance, which risked Kenya’s standing in the global anti-doping community.
Had Kenya not taken corrective measures, ADAK could have faced severe sanctions. These included being barred from hosting or co-hosting WADA-sanctioned events, exclusion of its representatives from WADA programs, withdrawal of WADA funding, and prohibition from holding positions on WADA boards or committees.
Kenya’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships was also at risk.
WADA noted that while sanctions are temporarily suspended, the matter remains under review. The Compliance Review Committee will reassess ADAK’s progress and may make further recommendations to the Executive Committee, which will then issue a final ruling.
At present, only three Code Signatories are listed as non-compliant: the National Anti-Doping Organizations of Russia and Sri Lanka, along with the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB).