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Severe budget cuts at Kenya’s Anti-Doping Agency (ADAK) risk WADA non-compliance, potentially barring Kenyan athletes from global competitions if funding isn’t restored to support essential anti-doping operations.
Operations at the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) continue to be grounded as severe budget cuts threaten the nation’s compliance with global anti-doping regulations.
The National Treasury’s drastic reduction of ADAK's 2024/25 budget from Kshs 288 million to a mere Ksh 20 million has left the agency scrambling, unable to maintain basic functions essential to its mandate.
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08:00 - 18.09.2024
What Kenya stands to lose in looming anti doping sanctions by WADA including not hosting CHAN
Kenya has a lot to lose if the World Anti-doping Agency declares ADAK non-compliant including being stripped of the rights to co-host CHAN scheduled for early next year.
If the financial situation is not promptly resolved, Kenya faces the real risk of being declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), a move that could lead to significant sanctions, including an international ban on Kenyan athletes.
ADAK CEO Sarah Shibutse has again highlighted the looming consequences of continued underfunding,
“Failure by ADAK to effectively discharge its mandate will attract the wrath of the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) which will declare Kenya non-compliant," she said as per Athletics News.
Non-compliance could result in Kenyan athletes being barred from international competitions and severely impact the country's standing in global athletics.
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14:03 - 25.10.2024
'I gave that race up'- Fred Kerley explains why he deserved the 100m win at Paris Olympics over Noah Lyles
Fred Kerley has explained the misstep that cost him the 100m Olympic title in Paris, believing neither Kishane Thompson nor Noah Lyles deserved to beat him, though he still considers the race one of his best.
The effects of the budget cut have been dire and immediate.
ADAK, the national body tasked with safeguarding the integrity of Kenyan sports, now faces an operational shutdown, with no funds to cover even basic costs.
“The landlord has given us a notice because we have not paid rent since July 2024. Internet has been disconnected. We are in a dire situation,” Shibutse shared, painting a bleak picture of ADAK’s dwindling resources.
Former ADAK chairman Amb. Daniel Makdwallo previously raised concerns about the agency’s deteriorating situation, warning of far-reaching implications if ADAK remains incapacitated.
“We are at risk of not being able to host or send any of our sportsmen for international competitions, because the Agency cannot carry out its regular testing activities both in competition and out of competition. No legal prosecution can go on for those athletes who have violated anti-doping policies, and no anti-doping education can go on,” Makdwallo warned.
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15:45 - 23.10.2024
'Keeps me hungry'- Marco Arop reveals major setback that is fuelling his revenge against Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 2025
Marco Arop is eager for a comeback after settling for silver at the Paris Olympics as he looks to put an end to Emmanuel Wanyonyi's winning streak and also shatter David Rudisha's world record.
Kenya has long been under scrutiny for doping incidents, especially among elite athletes.
In recent years, the increased funding from the government appeared to make significant strides in addressing the issue.
Following a pledge from President William Ruto in November 2022 to allocate Sh650 million annually for five years toward anti-doping efforts, the number of doping cases detected rose, indicating that ADAK’s testing systems were effective.
However, the recent budget cuts now undermine these hard-won gains and threaten to unravel Kenya’s progress in curbing doping practices.
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08:19 - 17.10.2024
'Apologize? For what?'- Journalist who asked Ruth Chepng'etich about doping claims breaks silence after Kenyan parliament demands apology
Kenyans, including Uasin Gishu MP Gladys Boss Shollei, criticized journalist Robert Johnson for questioning Ruth Chepng'etich's world record, with Shollei demanding an apology in parliament, while Johnson defended his inquiry as part of his job.
The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya was established following the 2016 Anti-Doping Act, signed into law by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, a move that saved Kenya from potential exclusion from the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The formation of ADAK marked a pivotal point in Kenya’s commitment to clean sports, with the agency tasked with implementing doping tests, legal actions, and educational initiatives to safeguard the integrity of athletics.
ADAK’s impact has been tangible; the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) banned 38 athletes in 2022, a figure that dropped to 29 in 2023.
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13:00 - 25.10.2024
Faith Kipyegon to receive honorary doctorate degree from University of Eldoret
Faith Kipyegon to receive honorary doctorate from University of Eldoret for remarkable achievements in athletics
Within Kenya, ADAK’s enforcement led to 34 athlete suspensions in 2022, with that figure rising to 60 by the close of 2023.
While the government’s Sh650 million commitment was specifically allocated for athletics-focused anti-doping efforts, ADAK has been dependent on separate government funding since its inception in 2016.
The reduction of these core funds, however, has stifled the agency’s operations to an alarming degree.
Kenya’s hard-earned position in the global sporting arena is now at serious risk, as Shibutse warns of impending repercussions if funding is not reinstated.
The lack of resources threatens to disrupt testing and enforcement efforts, potentially allowing doping violations to go unchecked and endangering the country’s compliance status.
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