The Kenyan government has embarked on implementation of far-reaching reforms with the aim of strengthening Kenya’s anti-doping program, to safeguard the country’s international image as a clean sports leader.
Speaking at Nyayo National Stadium, whose tartan track renovations are nearing completion, Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the reforms aim at boosting the technical competence of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and have Kenya’s framework get standardized according to international standards.
Among the most significant reforms is a promise by the National Treasury to ring-fence ADAK’s funds. Mvurya assured that the supplementary budget will have additional funds this year, so that the agency will be in a position to deliver its mandate sustainably.
“We are providing an action plan and commitment, beginning with increased funding for ADAK,” stated the CS.
The government is also restructuring ADAK to strengthen its board and include technical experts to make the entity more efficient. “We are undertaking the organogram for proper expertise to deal with anti-doping programs effectively,” Mvurya added.
Kenya has recently been under close surveillance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but Mvurya explained that the country had made a great improvement.
From the 35 areas of compliance that WADA pointed out, 30 have already been addressed, with an intention to tackle the remaining five.
We are in close contact with WADA on the plan of action for correction and look forward to a favorable response within the next few months. This is an indication of our commitment towards the integrity of our sport,” he said.
The CS also quoted Kenya’s performance at the recently held World Athletics Championships as proof of clean competition.
“Our medal count was a clean sweep,” he asserted, noting that the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had raised no objection against Kenyan athletes having been cleared.
Meanwhile, works at Nyayo National Stadium are 90 percent complete, and the tartan track will hopefully be ready within one week.
The government will, after completion, build a canopy to bring the facility to international hosting standards.
