DP Ruto: We have moved swiftly to be WADA compliant

The Government has moved swiftly to ensure Kenya becomes compliant on issues of anti-doping, Deputy President William Ruto said on Friday.

Ruto added the move by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to declare Kenya in breach of global anti-doping rules was not being taken lightly by the Government.

The Deputy President said the latest development had put top athletes are at risk of missing important international events saying everything was being done to correct the situation.

“I want to assure Kenyans and athletes in particular that we are taking the issue seriously. If there is anywhere in the law that we need to adjust to correct the situation, we will do so,” Ruto stressed.

“The sporting fraternity should know that the Government will do whatever issue required by the World Anti-Doping Agency and agree with it on every issue so that they (athletes) continue showing their talents and expertise,” added Mr. Ruto.

Speaking at Kamasia Secondary School Grounds in Marakwet East, Elgeyo Marakwet the Deputy President said the Rio 2016 Olympics would not be the same without participation of Kenyan athletes.

MPs Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo/Marakwet, Wesely Korir (Cherangany) David Kangogo (Marakwet East), William Kisang (Marakwet West), Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South), Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), JM Waiganjo (Ol Jororok) and Susan Chebet (Elgeyo/Marakwet) and Governor Alex Tolgos were present.

The MPs urged the Government to do everything possible to solve the problem of anti-doping to allow Kenya’s athletes to continue participating in world championships.

“The Government should look into the problem to ensure Kenya becomes compliant on issues of anti-doping,” Korir added.

Earlier while addressing wananchi at Bishop Makorios Boys Secondary School in Aldai constituency Nandi County, Governor Cleophas Lagat said athletics was the major source of income among the Kalenjin athletes.

“It is not in our culture and it has never been in our history for athletes from the Kalenjin community to use drugs,” said Langat.

The country was gripped by panic after WADA announced Thursday night that it had found the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) non-compliant after they claimed some changes had been made new Anti-Doping Law signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 22 without their knowledge.

Earlier Friday, IAAF declared it would not ban Kenya from the Rio Olympics but the country was still in the red zone to tighten its anti-doping procedures.

And Sports Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Hassan Wario then announced the Government had suspended ADAK until it met WADA’s threshold of compliance to its Code.