Anti-Doping Bill to undergo Third Reading Wednesday

The Anti Doping Bill, which was tabled for the Second Reading by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale Tuesday, will on Wednesday  undergo Third Reading.

This comes after Members of Parliament unanimously supported the Bill, which is should be assented to law by the President by May 5th if Kenya is to meet the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) deadline to comply with its code.

If passed, the Bill will ensure Kenya’s track and field athletes are not banned from future international competitions, and impose a 100,000 shillings fine or a one year jail term on athletes who are caught doping among other penalties.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale said they will ensure the Bill is passed and assented to by the President by next week.

This comes after the country missed the two initial deadlines of February 16th and April 5th, this year.

Kenya is racing against time to meet the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) deadline that was extended to May 5th, 2016 to ensure compliance.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi had urged Members of Parliament to pass the Bill in order to beat the deadline set by WADA, for compliance with its code to avert a possible ban for Kenya’s track and field athletes from international competitions including this year’s Rio Olympics.

On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta assured that the Anti-Doping Bill 2016 would be passed on time to beat the deadline set by WADA.

The President said the government has given the Bill priority, adding that he is personally following it up with the leadership in the National Assembly until it is passed.