CLEAN: Kenya Off Doping Watchlist— But Battles Far From Over

By Fatuma Rashid

Kenya has cleared a major hurdle in the global fight against doping after the World Anti-Doping Agency removed the country from its compliance watchlist following reforms at the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya.

The decision closes a compliance procedure initiated after a May 2024 audit under the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories, which flagged gaps in governance and operational systems within the national anti-doping framework.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the government acted swiftly to implement corrective measures recommended by the audit, allowing Kenya to fully align its anti-doping systems with the World Anti-Doping Code and applicable international standards.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) subsequently implemented a comprehensive corrective action plan that strengthened governance and oversight structures, enhanced operational independence and improved results management procedures.

Authorities also upgraded intelligence and investigations capacity and streamlined the management of athlete whereabouts systems, a key requirement for global anti-doping compliance.

Mvurya said the government provided policy direction, administrative support and additional resources during the reform process to ensure the agency met international standards within the stipulated timelines.

“The removal of Kenya from the compliance watchlist sends a clear and powerful message to the global sporting community: Kenya remains firmly committed to clean sport, institutional accountability, and international cooperation in safeguarding the integrity of athletics and all sporting disciplines,” said Mvurya.

He added that although the compliance process attracted international scrutiny, no formal non-compliance sanctions were imposed on Kenya during the corrective period.

The Cabinet Secretary said the government remains committed to strengthening anti-doping systems through increased testing programmes, intelligence-led investigations, athlete education and stronger legal and governance frameworks.

“Kenya’s global sporting reputation has been built on talent, resilience, and discipline. As a nation, we remain unequivocal that the future of Kenyan sport must also be defined by integrity,” he said.

Kenya has faced growing international scrutiny in recent years following a surge in doping cases involving elite and emerging athletes.

Among the latest cases, former New York City Marathon champion Albert Korir was provisionally suspended in January 2026 after testing positive for the banned substance CERA.

Separately, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya recently announced provisional suspensions affecting 27 athletes, including former Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo and national 400-metre hurdles champion Wiseman Were, as authorities intensify efforts to curb doping violations.

Other Kenyan athletes serving bans for doping violations include distance runner Emmaculate Anyango, who is serving a six-year suspension imposed in 2024, and rising middle-distance athlete Brenda Chebet, banned for three years following a positive test for a prohibited substance.

Sports authorities say the latest compliance milestone is intended to reassure global athletics bodies that Kenya remains committed to protecting the integrity of sport while addressing the persistent doping challenge.