Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – The Kenyan government has vowed to crack down on organizations and individuals suspected of being involved in doping in athletics, which has recently tainted the image of the East African nation, a renowned global sporting powerhouse.
Kenyan Sports Minister Hassan Wario, said Friday, a day after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) declared Kenya non-compliant in its efforts to deal with doping, that the government would take steps against organizations involved in doping.
“Kenya will work with WADA to settle the concerns it has raised,” Wario told reporters after a day-long meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta on the steps that Kenya has taken in recent months to restore confidence on the integrity of athletics sport.
WADA executives declared Kenya non-compliant with the regulations to deal with the doping several weeks after Parliament passed a new law, the Anti-Doping Bill, creating a new authority to deal with doping in sports.
The decision puts Kenya at risk of losing the opportunity to have athletes participate at this year’s Rio Olympics.
WADA was unhappy with changes introduced in the new Anti-Doping Bill, which changed the word Ban, to Penalty.
An official of the Professional Athletics Association of Kenya, Julius Ndegwa, said the Anti-Doping Authority of Kenya (ADAK) should be blamed for forwarding a law that was different from the original regulations signed by the President of Kenya.
Wario said it was regrettable the WADA board meeting in Canada, found Kenya non-compliant with the regulations.
“The task has been undertaken at various levels with the complete commitment and goodwill of all concerned,” Wario told reporters assembled at Harambe House, the President’s office, for a briefing after the day-long high-level meeting.
“Kenya is a sporting nation. We must ensure that the reputation and careers of all our honest and hard working athletes are protected,” Wario said.
