World Anti-Doping Agency Calls Kenya A Model Example In Fighting Doping

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has called Kenya a model example for African countries in the fight against doping.

WADA Director for the African Region, Rodney Swigelaar, made this known during the first Africa Anti-Doping Think Tank Forum in Seychelles.

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He lauded Kenya’s effort in setting up the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and urged other African countries that are yet to establish such national organizations to borrow a leaf from the east African athletics powerhouse.

“Kenya is a leading example on how African governments can dedicate resources, financial and otherwise, to the promotion of clean sports,” said Mr. Swigelaar.

“Kenya has also been instrumental in the establishment of other NADOs within the East African region as it hosts the WADA Zone V Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) offices.”

ADAK Chief Executive Officer, Jasper Kiplimo Rugut, who was invited to speak on Kenya’s clean sports journey, urged African governments to invest more resources in the fight.

He said African governments should invest more in the establishment of National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) which are the internationally accepted bodies that are mandated to undertake anti-doping activities in collaboration with other global establishments.

He called for the continent to also abide by the internationally set standards by global stakeholders in the sports industry such as WADA and the world governing body, IAAF.

“The Kenyan case is unique in many ways since our position as a sporting powerhouse especially in athletics has catapulted us to the world map which means greater scrutiny of our record-shattering athletes,” said Rugut.

“This meant that without vibrant anti-doping activities Kenya would be declared non-compliant to the World Anti-Doping Code by WADA and subsequently barred from participating in any international competition.”

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He added that Kenya’s president, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta showed his commitment to clean sports by personally leading the legal process that saw the establishment of ADAK when he assented to the Anti-Doping Act, 2016.

In attendance to the World Anti-Doping Agency forum was WADA Director General, Oliver Niggli, and Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton. Seychelles Minister for Sports, Youth and Culture Mitcy Larne and Namibia’s Deputy Minister for Sport, Youth and National Service Agnes Tjongarero.