Nairobi: Athletes and coaches in Kericho are advocating for stricter penalties for doping offenses, emphasizing that current sanctions are insufficient to deter violators. These recommendations emerged during a public participation forum organized by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) aimed at collecting opinions on potential revisions to the Anti-Doping Act of 2016.
According to Kenya News Agency, the forum, held at the Kericho Teachers Training College, saw World Athletics U20 Championships gold medalist Vincent Keter urging Parliament to enforce tougher sanctions on athletes and support personnel found guilty of doping. Keter argued that harsher penalties would discourage repeat offenses, maintaining the sport’s integrity. He highlighted the issue of athletes risking doping due to potential financial gains, which they could use to pay fines and return to competition.
Athletics Kenya (AK) Kericho County branch Vice Chairman Gabriel Kiptanui, who also coaches athletics, advocated for mandatory anti-doping education in schools and training camps. He believes early education could instill ethical and moral values in athletes and coaches, fostering a culture of honesty and integrity. Kiptanui stressed the importance of young athletes understanding the repercussions of doping to promote clean sport as they progress in their careers.
Participants also recommended increasing awareness of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) to ensure athletes are informed about the legitimate use of prohibited medications for medical reasons. ADAK’s Principal Education Officer, Kennedy Mwai, explained that the public forum aimed to gather input from athletes, coaches, and stakeholders on the proposed amendments to align with the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code.
Mwai noted that the World Anti-Doping Code, reviewed every four years, provides a global framework for combating doping in sport. The latest edition has been adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), requiring national anti-doping organizations to adjust their laws accordingly. The proposed amendments to Kenya’s Anti-Doping Act 2016 seek compliance with the revised code, especially concerning sanctions, education, TUEs, investigations, and results management.
The views from Kericho’s athletes and coaches are part of a constitutional requirement ensuring public contributions to legislative development. Since 2016, Kenya has been in Category A of WADA’s compliance watch list, with nearly 130 Kenyan athletes sanctioned for doping offenses. Recent notable cases include a lifetime ban for marathon runner Beatrice Toroitich and a six-year ban for 10km record holder Rhonex Kipruto in June 2024.
