The Ministry of Sports has unveiled new reforms aimed at strengthening Kenya’s anti-doping framework in a bid to reinforce the country’s standing as a leader in clean athletics and fair competition.
Speaking on Thursday, October 2, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the measures are designed to improve the technical capacity of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) through policies that meet global best practices.
According to Mvurya, a major highlight of the reforms is the financial commitment from the National Treasury, which has agreed to ring-fence funding for anti-doping programs.
"The government is providing an action plan and commitment beginning with the supplementary budget to allocate additional funding for ADAK in this financial year," he said.
Mvurya noted that the reforms will also see a restructuring of the agency to strengthen its board and technical staff in line with international standards.
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"We are reviewing the organogram to bring on board the right experts needed to enhance ADAK's efficiency and effectively manage anti-doping programs in Kenya," he added.
Mvurya revealed that Kenya has made steady progress in meeting requirements set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), having resolved 30 of the 35 compliance issues highlighted.
He added that a progressive action plan has since been submitted to address the remaining five.
"We are in constant communication with WADA on the implementation of the corrective action plan. We expect a positive response in the coming months. This demonstrates the government's commitment to protecting the integrity of our sport," he further said.
While hosting President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe, at State House on January 5, 2023, President William Ruto disclosed that the government had set aside Ksh3.7 billion to help in the fight against doping for the next five years.
"We will collaborate with partners, sportsmen, and their contacts to tackle doping that threatens our heritage. The Government will go an extra mile in protecting the integrity of athletics. We are determined to protect Kenya's reputation and heritage as an athletics powerhouse.
"We are ready to work together with athletes, their contacts, and partners to confront the doping menace and protect the integrity of our champions. We thank the World Athletics for its consideration of Kenya’s situation," he said.
Elsewhere, this comes a day after Ruto revealed plans to hire 500 sportsmen into the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS).
Speaking on Thursday, October 2, he said the move is aimed at providing job security for athletes and access to resources and facilities to sharpen their skills.
"I have discussed with our disciplined services, both the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS), and we have agreed that a total of 500 sportsmen will be hired into our disciplined services, to provide them a base where they can get the necessary equipment and support to continue raising the standard of sport in our country," he said.
At the same time, Ruto announced that the government has disbursed Ksh27 million to Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025 medalists.
He said each gold medalist will receive Ksh3 million, while silver and bronze medalists will get Ksh2 million and Ksh1 million, respectively.
"In recognition of your heroic efforts, a total of Ksh27 million has already been disbursed to the medalists. Ksh3 million for each gold medalist, Ksh2 million for each silver medalist, and 1 million for bronze medalists in line with my directive," he stated.
