Kenya risks being barred from hosting international events after WADA sanctioned the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya for not complying with its code.

Kenya is staring at far-reaching consequences after the World Anti-Doping Agency sanctioned the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) over non-noncompliance with its code.

According to a statement issued by WADA on Thursday, recommendations from its independent Compliance Review Committee, which conducted an audit on ADAK in May 2024, found that the Kenyan anti-doping body failed to address critical requirements that would put it in compliance with the WADA Code.

“The ExCo followed the recommendations from the independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to allege the Kenyan National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) as it has still not addressed several critical requirements following an audit carried out by WADA in May 2024,” reads a statement from the WADA Executive Committee.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

WADA did not go into specific details of the breaches that led to Kenya’s alleged non-compliance but gave ADAK 21 days to appeal failure to which it will lose a number of privileges which include funding and participation in agency programmes while Kenyan representatives will be barred from holding positions on WADA boards or committees.

“Under Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), the Signatory has 21 days following the date of receipt of the formal notice of non-compliance to dispute WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, as well as the proposed consequences and/or the reinstatement conditions proposed by the Agency,” said WADA.

“It should be noted that the decision (including the consequences) will enter into force on 2 October 2025, unless the decision is challenged before the same date,” explaining when the punishment will kick in for Kenya if no appeal is filed.

If ADAK is punished, the consequences also include Kenya not being awarded the right to host any future editions of regional, continental or world championships, as well as other international events until its reinstatement.

That would be a massive blow to Kenya which has submitted a bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships with the news coming just a day before the 2025 Worlds begin in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday.

“Signatories cannot award the right to host inter alia regional, continental or world championships to the Republic of Kenya during its period of non-compliance. Events already allocated to the Republic of Kenya may take place. This does not apply to the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” says WADA regarding Kenya in the event that ADAK is struck.

Further, if ADAK is punished and stays for six months before it is reinstated, further consequences will apply, including ADAK’s Testing and Results Management activities being subject to supervision by an approved third party, at its own cost, including up to six site visits per year, with all costs to be paid in advance.

If ADAK has not met the conditions of reinstatement within 12 months of the entering into effect of the consequences of non-compliance, the Kenyan flag will not be displayed at or in association with regional, continental or world championships, as well as other events organised by major event organizations, including the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The punishment comes as a consequence to Kenya’s failure to keep its promise of funding and testing a big pool of athletes given the country is in ‘Category A,’ meaning nations under the watch of WADA over a high prevalence of doping cases.

In 2024, ADAK was up in arms after the government slashed its budget from Ksh288m to Ksh20m for the 2024-25 financial year, raising alarm that the funding shortfall could lead to sanctions from WADA over non-compliance.

“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,” former ADAK CEO Sarah Shibutse told Athletics News at the time, revealing that the body was even struggling to pay rent while internet connection had been disconnected at its offices.

This was despite the government pledging US$5 million (Ksh646 million) annually for the next five years, totaling US$25 million (Ksh3.2 billion), to build capacity in testing, investigations, intelligence, education, case management and communications following a meeting with Athletics Integrity Unit Head of Testing Thomas Capdevielle in 2022.