Kenya is stepping up its fight against doping in athletics, with the government vowing to protect the country’s sports reputation through a stronger anti-doping strategy.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the government will continue to fund the Enhanced Anti-Doping Programme to keep athletes clean and ensure Kenya avoids global sanctions.
“This isn’t just about funding. It’s about protecting our name and our future in sports,” he said during a meeting with the Anti-Doping Steering Committee. “The President is fully behind the fight for a doping-free Kenya.”
To date, the program has impacted more than 16,000 people in the sportingcommunity, and more than 4,000 sportspeople have been subjected to out-of-competition testing as well as in-competition testing.
The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has registered 31 anti-doping violations, and 23 have yielded successful convictionswith the assistance of international collaborators.
Mvurya praised ADAK’s efforts in testing, athlete education, and cracking down on doping networks. A new intelligence unit has also been set up to investigate coaches and medics suspected of helping athletes cheat.
Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said the government will continue supporting ADAK to meet both local and international rules.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei also unveiled a new online system that bridges ADAK with the Athletics Integrity Unit to ease monitoring athlete data and improve transparency.
The move comes as Kenya gears up to host major athletics events and strives to maintain its clean sport reputation on the international stage.
But there are still hurdles to be cleared. Among those athletes in question is women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, who was just suspended for doping.
Kenya’s anti-doping blueprint now faces a test of its own: can the country protect its legacy while its runners stay clean?
