Wario optimistic Kenya will avert WADA ban on May 12

Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Arts and Culture, Dr. Hassan Wario remains optimistic Kenya will not be declared non-compliant by World Anti-Doping Agency after the lapse of today’s deadline.

WADA’s compliance review committee will meet in Montreal later in the day and its decisions on Kenya are not expected to be announced until May 12 at the conclusion of the Executive Committee and Foundation meeting of the anti-doping body.

The country is on high alert it could be slapped with an international competition ban, including the Rio 2016 Olympics after missing two WADA deadlines for compliance, the initial on February 11 and Tuesday.

The Anti-Doping Bill of 2016 went through its first reading in Parliament last week and it has not been enacted into law by the expiry of Kenya’s extended deadline after the country missed the initial February 11 limit to comply with the WADA code.

Speaking to exclusively to Citizen, Wario said; “We have submitted all our documents to WADA as required. Compliance required a raft of factors about four key factors with legalisation being a part of that.

“We are also in contact with key heads of IAAF and WADA especially on the yet to be finalised anti doping bill. So far we remain optimistic.”

The country expects a decision from the anti-doping agency on May 12 during the WADA Executive Committee and Foundation Board will meet respectively on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 May in Montreal, Canada.

“At what is a time of heightened interest for the anti-doping movement, the Foundation Board will address a broad range of topics touching upon all areas of WADA activities.  In particular, WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee will present Board members – who represent governments and the Olympic Movement – with its recommendation on the compliance status of certain World Anti-Doping Code signatories.

“It is also expected that a decision will be made regarding the status of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). Other items on the agenda include an update regarding,” a media invite for the foundation meeting reads in part.

WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie, WADA Director General, David Howman and incoming Director General, Olivier Niggli will brief the media at a press conference following the meeting.

Other items on the agenda include an update regarding: Part two of the Independent Commission’s investigation; and, enhancements being made to WADA’s whistle blowing policy/process as a direct result of IC recommendations.