Doping athletes toface punitive measures after Uhuru signs Anti-Doping Amendment Bill

Doping athletes will now face punitive measures including jail terms after President Kenyatta signed the Anti-Doping Amendment Bill into law.

The new law amends the Anti-Doping Act of 2016 to align Kenya’s legislative framework with the 2021 World Anti-Doping code and regulations.

The new anti-doping law also ensures the continued participation of Kenyan athletes in local, regional and international competitions.

This is in line with the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention against doping in sports.

The National Assembly passed the Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on December 22 while the Senate passed it on December 29, 2020 before it was presented to the President for signing on Thursday.

This was to beat the January 1, 2021 deadline set to bar athletes from non-compliant countries from participating in international sporting competitions.