Anti-Doping bill to be tabled in Parliament Tuesday

The Government-sponsored Anti-Doping Bill will be tabled and debated on the floor of the house next Tuesday, according National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi.

Muturi urged Members of Parliament to pass the Bill in order to beat the April 5 deadline set by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for compliance with its code to avert a possible ban for Kenya’s track and field athletes from international competition.

The Speaker made the announcement in Parliament on Thursday with fears mounting the law will not be enacted in time to avert the deadline with house going to recess a week from now.

Parliament had called a briefing on the Anti-Doping Law but it had to be cancelled following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s address to the nation in the afternoon, prompting Muturi to tell the house.

Earlier this week, Cherangany MP, Wesley Korir, who has also tabled a proposed law to tackle the vice said in Eldoret that Kenya would not beat the deadline since common ground had not been reached with the Government to harmonise both bills.

“I’m having the same questions as you do but no matter which one it is, we will combine the two at the third reading. Mine was approved by the committee and was waiting Speaker’s approval.

“I’m told the Ministry have submitted their version of the Bill. It has been taken to Government Printers for printing. My bill is going to act as an amendment to the Government Bill and I’m happy with the new development.

“I have learnt the Government has powers and they can do what they please. The people of Cherangany did not vote for me to politicize anti-doping,” Korir told Citizen Digital.

Korir’s draft differs with that sponsored by Government through its Ministry of Sport, Culture and Arts that has input of WADA over the constitution of the Anti-Doping Association of Kenya and punishment to be handed to those found guilty of the vice among other things.

A fortnight ago, the Parliamentary Departmental Committee of Labour and Social Welfare promised to fast track the Anti-Doping Bill of 2015,  sponsored by the 2012 Boston Marathon champion Korir who has accused the Ministry of causing the delay in immediate action on the bill.

During the 203rd IAAF Council Meeting in Monaco chaired by President, Lord Sebastian Coe, Kenya was placed among the nations on red alert concerning their national anti-doping programmes with European powerhouse Russia having their international ban extended.

“The IAAF is implementing an action plan to monitor compliance to IAAF Rule 30.6 with respect to the federations of Ethiopia, Morocco, Belarus, Kenya and Ukraine.

“Morocco and Ethiopia both need to appoint an anti-doping coordinator and, as a matter of urgency, establish a national testing programme.

“Belarus, Kenya and Ukraine have been put on an IAAF monitoring list for 2016 to ensure their national anti-doping programmes are significantly strengthened to ensure their journey to compliance to Rule 30.6 is completed by the end of the year,” a statement following Day Two of the Council meeting that concluded Friday evening in Monaco outlined.

“The IAAF is taking control of the fight against doping facing the sport, discussing the issues openly and working with the affected countries to resolve them. No sanctions have been imposed but clear recommendations have been made to those five countries so they understand clearly the actions they must take,” Lord Coe was quoted saying.

Kenya has exactly 11 days to comply with April fifth deadline having failed to beat the initial February 11 deadline.