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A 93% reduction in ADAK's budget has continued to cripple Kenya's anti-doping efforts drawing scrutiny from WADA.
Effects of the Kenyan government’s decision to slash funding for the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) are rippling through the country’s fight against doping, raising concerns from local officials and international bodies.
Months after the agency revealed it had been allocated only Ksh 20 million in the 2024-2025 budget, efforts to combat doping have slowed, drawing sharp focus from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
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ADAK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sarah Shibutse has sounded the alarm, revealing the dire state of the agency’s operations during a media briefing in Iten.
“We have many athletes who have suddenly died because of the side effects of substances,” said ADAK CEO Sarah Shibutse as per Standard.
“Our programs have stalled, and WADA is looking to see how fast the budget can be reinstated.”
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Shibutse revealed that ADAK’s efforts to secure funding from the National Treasury had hit roadblocks, with four months of lobbying yielding no results.
“The concern is still there,” she added.
“They [Treasury] had indicated that it would come in the supplementary budget. We hope it will be sooner rather than later.”
With Kenya still categorized as a high-risk nation for doping violations under WADA’s watch the stakes are higher than ever.
ADAK has been pivotal in driving the five-year enhanced anti-doping program, a collaborative effort with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and Athletics Kenya (AK).
However, the lack of funds has paralyzed the agency, leaving it unable to pay rent, maintain internet services, or conduct extensive anti-doping campaigns.
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Juliana Nyaga, a senior official in the Ministry of Sports, acknowledged the dire situation.
“Funding is an issue, but we are doing our best. The government is committed,” she said.
Meanwhile, Shibutse confirmed that both the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Sports had been engaging with Treasury officials to secure the necessary funding.
The situation has also drawn concerns from local government officials, with Keiyo North Deputy County Commissioner Julius Maiyo pointing to external factors exacerbating the doping crisis.
“Everybody from all over the world is in Iten, and some people are not happy that Kenyans are winning races globally,” Maiyo said.
He noted the arrest of a foreigner in possession of suspicious substances labeled as “sports fuel” as a troubling example of the challenges facing Kenyan athletics.
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Despite these hurdles, ADAK has continued to work with athletes, local administrators, and religious leaders to spread awareness about the dangers of doping.
Shibutse emphasized the importance of engaging not just athletes but also community leaders in creating a culture of clean sportsmanship.
“We created awareness on the various charges in the war against doping, among them aiding and abetting, trafficking, among other charges,” she said.
Kenya’s international reputation as a running powerhouse is at risk, with increasing sanctions against athletes fueling global skepticism.
The recent six-year ban imposed on Emmaculate Anyango, who represented Kenya at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships, has only added to the scrutiny.
Maiyo warned that the battle against doping in Kenya must be intelligence-driven to counter sophisticated doping networks.
“The fight is not just local; it has international tentacles. Intelligence and vigilance are crucial."
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