The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has hailed a JKIA Law Courts decision in which Aman Malik was sentenced for charges of handling and possession of banned substances.
In delivering her judgment, Senior Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku sentenced Malik to a fine of KES 1 million or imprisonment for 12 months on the first count.
On three others, he was given three years each, but the court ordered the terms to run concurrently for three years in all that he will serve. Malik has 14 days’ time to appeal.
The court also instructed that all the drugs that come under the Anti-Doping Act are handed over to ADAK and other commodities that are not covered by the law will be destroyed by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
Malik will be deported to his country of origin by the Immigration Department once he has served his term.
In a statement, ADAK further stated the sentencing sends a very strong message to dopers and individuals involved in the trade of prohibited substances that Kenya would do everything possible to maintain clean athletes.
“This conviction confirms that our systems are in place and Kenya is strictly against doping or trafficking of prohibited substances,” the agency stated.
The move came after Kenya’s global success in athletics, with outstanding performance in the World Championships in Tokyo.
Citing that doping remains a “dark cloud” over clean competition and the country’s reputation, ADAK pledged its continued work and commitments alongside international and national partners like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), and Kenyan authorities to maintain international standards.
The agency explained to the sportspeople and their teams that trafficking, possession, or use of banned substances is a criminal act with sporting, legal, and reputational repercussions.
“At the centre of our work is safeguarding the rights of athletes to compete in a clean sport environment,” ADAK stated. “We remain committed to guaranteeing health, equity, and fairness in sport while enhancing Kenya’s heritage on the global arena.”