Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei announced rigorous anti-doping tests for athletes competing for a spot in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
A total of 444 athletes will undergo three testing rounds under a strict program managed by Athletics Kenya, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), and World Athletics.
This decision highlights Kenya’s ongoing commitment to tackling doping, an issue that has damaged the country’s reputation in global athletics.
Despite increasing scrutiny and a $25 million (€23 million) government-backed five-year plan launched in April 2023 to crack down on doping violations, cases continue to emerge.
Tuwei stressed that the country is upholding strict measures from Paris Olympic to keep athletes clean ahead of the Tokyo event.
“All athletes may be subject to both in-competition and out-of-competition testing,” Tuwei stated.
“Failure to comply with testing protocols, including missed tests or refusal to provide samples, will impact their eligibility for selection.”
Kenya’s aggressive stance follows years of doping-related controversies, particularly after the 2016 Rio Olympics. This led the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to declare the country non-compliant.
Since 2017, more than 130 Kenyan athletes, primarily long-distance runners, have faced sanctions for doping violations.
Marathoner Beatrice Toroitich received a lifetime ban, while Rhonex Kipruto’s six-year suspension led to the annulment of his 10 km record. Shortly after, Lawrence Cherono, a former Boston and Chicago Marathon champion, was banned for seven years.
Despite these efforts, Kenya remains on WADA’s watchlist, categorized as a high-risk nation for doping violations. The government’s investment in anti-doping efforts, including awareness, testing, investigations, and education, has progressed, but challenges still remain.
WADA Director General Olivier Niggli acknowledged Kenya’s progress but cautioned that underlying issues remain.
“Kenya has been a concern for several years,” Niggli said.
“There was a significant shift when the government committed substantial resources to anti-doping, particularly after pressure from the athletics federation. While improvements are evident, ongoing investigations and systemic challenges still need addressing.”
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, during a visit to Nairobi earlier this year, expressed optimism about Kenya’s anti-doping reforms.
He praised the government’s financial commitment, stating that it has significantly bolstered testing capabilities, investigative efforts, and educational programs.
“The funding provided by Kenyan authorities has been crucial in this fight,” Coe remarked.
“We are moving in the right direction, though we started from a difficult position. We trust the system and the people leading this charge to eradicate doping.”
