Kenya awaits anxiously to see what action World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) will take against the country with the deadline for compliance having lapsed yesterday.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya downplayed fears of the country getting suspended on Thursday, saying that they had complied in 30 out of the 35 issues that Wada had raised.

Wada had three weeks ago given the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) 21 days to correct its non-conformities in full or risk suspension from October 3, this year.

While Mvurya was optimistic that Wada will not suspend the country, citing Kenya’s commitment to full compliance with its anti-doping code, the government must address these concerns to the fullest.

It’s quite clear that inconsistency in funding from the government, which has affected Adak operations since last year, is the major reason why Wada has acted.

Mvurya needs to come out clear and state the five requirements that have not been met and why given that the country is at a bad stage with doping cases increasing amid heightened testing by Adak and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

Laxity in testing and sensitisation will give room for some athletes to misbehave, therefore putting the country, that is already in Category “A” of doping, at greater risk.

It’s high time the country pulled itself out of that category since the government separately uses close to Sh1 billion annually for Adak and AIU activities.

This is money that could have benefited sports immensely in another way, but is now set for other avoidable uses.

Should the suspension take effect, the country shall not host any future editions of regional, continental or world championships, as well as other international events across the sports, until Adak is reinstated.