Kenya is currently in a race against time to address 35 compliance issues identified by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in a bid to avoid looming sanctions. The government has acknowledged the urgency of resolving these issues following an audit report issued by WADA in September 2024, which was based on an initial audit conducted earlier that year.
The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Arts, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, recently addressed the nation, expressing confidence in the country’s efforts to meet WADA’s requirements. He emphasized that Kenya is on track to comply fully, despite the challenges faced, particularly in securing adequate funding and resources.
The 35 issues raised by WADA were initially detailed in a formal compliance notice issued on September 11, 2024, which gave Kenya just 21 days to take corrective action. As the deadline of October 3, 2025, approached, CS Mvurya provided an update on the progress made. He confirmed that 30 of the 35 issues had been resolved and that the remaining five were in the final stages of being addressed.
“ADAK has been working closely with both the Ministry and WADA. We’ve already resolved 30 out of 35 issues. Our action plan is in place, and we are confident that there will be no cause for concern,” he said.
A significant part of the compliance issue stemmed from financial constraints and limited resources within the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). CS Mvurya highlighted that the National Treasury had committed to addressing these financial challenges, ensuring that ADAK would have the necessary resources to continue its anti-doping efforts.
The potential sanctions for non-compliance are severe and could include the loss of WADA privileges, the ineligibility of Kenyan representatives for WADA positions, and a ban on the country hosting international sports events. However, with most of the issues addressed and an action plan now in place, the Kenyan government remains hopeful that these sanctions can be avoided.
As the global sporting community waits for WADA’s official decision, Kenya’s efforts to overhaul its anti-doping framework stand as a testament to the country’s commitment to fair play and integrity in sports.
