Kenya has been charged with breaching global anti-doping rules, a move that could see its athletes barred from competition if the country fails to act quickly.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on Thursday that Kenya’s Anti-Doping Agency had “still not addressed several critical requirements” flagged during an audit carried out in May 2024.
Under WADA’s rules, the country has 21 days to either contest the findings or implement the required reforms. If it fails to do so, Kenya risks being formally declared non-compliant—a status that has in the past led to international suspensions for other nations.
Currently, only four signatories sit on WADA’s non-compliance list: Russia, Sri Lanka, the International Federation of Basque Pelota, and the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation. Being added to that group would be a significant blow for Kenya, long celebrated as a powerhouse in middle and long-distance running.
The East African nation has faced repeated scrutiny over doping in recent years. Dozens of athletes have been sanctioned, and the country narrowly avoided a global ban ahead of the Tokyo Olympics after rushing through legislation to tighten controls.
The latest charge suggests international patience may be running thin. WADA has not disclosed the full details of Kenya’s alleged failings, but the agency stressed that its audit process is designed to uphold fairness in global sport.
Kenyan officials have yet to issue a formal response. However, athletics insiders warn that unless swift changes are made, the fallout could be severe—affecting not only the country’s reputation but also the careers of hundreds of athletes preparing for major competitions.
The clock is now ticking. If reforms are not in place within three weeks, Kenya could find itself on the same list as Russia, whose state-sponsored doping scandal triggered years of exclusion from world sport.
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