Uhuru signs doping Bill into law

President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law Anti Doping Bill to beat May 2nd deadline imposed by World Anti-Doping Agency.

Kenya now awaits for the WADA Foundation Board Meeting on May 12 in Montreal to declare the country compliant with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) promising to send the documents to the world body without further delay.

The signing ceremony which took place at State House Nairobi, was witnessed by prominent sportsmen and women led by the Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario.

Speaking during the ceremony, the President made it clear that the signing of the law is not an end by itself but rather the continuation of his government’s efforts to stand against cheating and corruption in the sporting and athletics arena.

“As I’ve repeatedly emphasized, Kenya is 100% committed to ensuring total compliance with international regulations on sports and athletics, be they set by WADA, IAAF, the International Olympic Committee or any other International Organisation,” said President Kenyatta.

He said Kenya is committed to ensuring that Kenyan sports teams compete by the book because “we believe that across the board, Kenyans are more than able to win fairly.”

The President pointed out that cheating in whatever way is a dis-service to the potential of players and the talent of athletes.

The President expressed confident that WADA will look upon the passage of the anti-doping law favourably as a sign of Kenya’s unwavering commitment to meeting the highest international standards.

“Yet even as our national leadership takes these necessary steps to compliance, I want to urge our athletes and sportsmen and women to hold themselves to the highest possible code of conduct,” said the President.  

The President said Kenyan athletes have earned reputation as sportsmen and women of the highest stature through hard work over the years. 

“That reputation has been earned diligently through the exertion and effort, sweat and sacrifices of many hardworking men and women,” he said. 

However President Kenyatta made it clear that those who breach the law will be punished without fear of favour. 

He said the law will not only apply to individually athletes and players but to teams too. 

 

Tags:

Uhuru kenyatta athletics doping WADA Anti-Doping Bill

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories