Sports CS Mvurya adresses Kenya's anti-doping status as WADA deadline elapses

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has said Kenya is making advances in aligning itself with the necessary World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requirements, days after the country was alleged to be non-compliant with the global code.

Mvurya, speaking on Thursday, 2 October at Nyayo Stadium, said the country was committed to maintaining the global standards in athletics, and had embarked on an action plan to address the compliance issues raised by WADA.

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In an 11 September 2025 statement, WADA’s Executive Committee followed recommendations from the independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to allege the Kenyan National Anti-Doping Organization as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), as it has still not addressed several critical requirements noted in its audit in May 2024.

Kenya, still classified under Category A by the World Anti- Doping Agency, had until Thursday, 2 October to dispute the allegation, or face consequences that would have labeled the country ineligible to host or participate in WADA programs or activities.

Addressing the issue, Mvurya allayed any fears on the country facing potential ramifications saying: “To date, 30 out of the 35 compliance issues raised by WADA have been addressed, with a progressive action plan submitted to resolve the remaining five.

We are in constant communication with WADA on the implementation of the corrective action plan and expect a positive response in the coming months.”

Among the major challenges that have plagued the country’s efforts against doping in the last year, have been budgetary cuts.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) at the beginning of its financial year in 2024, publicly announced that the Government of Kenya had slashed its budget from Ksh288 million to a meagre Ksh20 million.

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On 3 June this year, the Government stepped up its plan to support the body, enhancing the cut budget to Ksh185 million.

Mvurya, in relation to the hampered financial backing, said the National Treasury was working to “ringfencing funding for anti-doping programs, ensuring ADAK has sustainable resources to execute its mandate.”

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“The government is providing an action plan and commitment beginning with the supplementary budget to allocate additional funding for ADAK in this financial year,” CS Mvurya stated, adding that there were plans to streamline the agency.

“We are reviewing the organogram to bring on board the right experts needed to enhance ADAK’s efficiency and effectively manage anti-doping programs in Kenya,” he added.