Kenya has received a major boost in its fight against doping after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) formally lifted the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) from its compliance watchlist.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 5th Annual ADAK Anti-Doping Workshop for the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) in Mombasa, ADAK Board Chairman Maj Gen (Rtd) Aphaxard Muthuri Kiugu confirmed that the compliance procedure concerning Kenya has officially been closed.
The two-day workshop, held in collaboration with SJAK, brought together sports journalists to deepen their understanding of the World Anti-Doping Programme, including results management, investigative processes, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and the Prohibited List.
Kiugu revealed that following an audit conducted in May 2024 under the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), ADAK was placed under a compliance “watchlist” status by WADA on October 30, 2025. The designation required urgent and coordinated corrective action.
He noted that ADAK moved swiftly to implement a comprehensive reform plan within the stipulated timelines.
The measures included strengthening governance and oversight structures, enhancing operational independence, improving results management systems, reinforcing intelligence and investigations capacity, and streamlining athlete whereabouts management.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports provided policy direction, administrative support, and additional resources to ensure full alignment with the World Anti-Doping Code and its International Standards.
Kiugu described WADA’s decision as more than an administrative milestone, terming it a strong statement to the global sporting community that Kenya remains committed to clean sport, institutional accountability, and international cooperation.
He urged journalists to report doping matters with technical accuracy and legal sensitivity, clearly distinguishing between allegations, provisional suspensions, and final decisions.
“Clean sport is sustained by public trust,” he emphasized.
With Kenya now fully compliant, ADAK says it will continue strengthening testing systems, expanding education programmes, and enhancing investigations to safeguard the country’s global sporting reputation.
