Relief as Rooney Onyango's suspension by Anti-Doping Agency is temporarily blocked
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 03.03.26. | 16:32
The ruling offers a timely reprieve for the right-back, who currently features for Norwegian side Sogndal Fotball
Harambee Stars defender Rooney Onyango has been handed temporary reprieve after the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) halted a provisional suspension imposed on him by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
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In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, 3 March, Justice Bernard Murunga certified the matter as urgent and granted conservatory orders staying the suspension that had been in place since Thursday, 12 February.
The Tribunal directed that Onyango “shall be free to participate in national team training, camps, travel, and match participation” pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The decision further clarified his availability for international assignments, stating that “for specificity, he shall also be eligible for call-ups and participation during the FIFA international window.”
The ruling offers a timely reprieve for the right-back, who currently features for Norwegian side Sogndal Fotball. It ensures he remains in contention for Harambee Stars selection despite the ongoing dispute.
Onyango had been provisionally suspended by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya over alleged whereabouts failures. Under anti-doping regulations, athletes in the registered testing pool must provide accurate location details to facilitate out-of-competition testing.
A violation occurs when an athlete records three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period. ADAK had cited this threshold in initiating the suspension, effectively barring the former Gor Mahia defender from all football-related activities.
However, the Tribunal’s intervention shifts the immediate landscape. In emphasising the urgency of the matter, particularly given the tight football calendar, the court directed that ADAK “shall file and serve their responses to the Application on or before 4.00 p.m. on 6th March 2026.”
The case is set to be mentioned again on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, at 2:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams before a panel comprising Hon. Eddie Omondi, Hon. Allan Mola and Hon. Luke Irungu.
Until the substantive hearing is concluded, Onyango remains eligible to train, travel and compete.