Kenya’s Olympic Committee lashes out at Wada

Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Culture and the Arts, Hassan Wario addressing the media at Nyayo Stadium. [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) has lashed out at World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) for declaring the nation non-compliant to its code.

In a statement that appeared to clear doubts on Kenya’s participation at the Rio Olympics in August, Nock said they were sure of presenting teams to the multi-sporting bonanza.

“The offending clauses in the Act, in our view, are very insignificant to warrant a declaration of non-compliance by Wada. We appeal to the government and in particular Hassan Wario, Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Culture and the Arts and Githu Muigai, the Attorney General, to move with speed and effect the amendments suggested by Wada.

“This will make the Anti-Doping Act number 5 of 2016 Wada Compliant,” Nock wrote in a statement signed by Nock Secretary General FK Paul and Rio Olympics chief de mission, Stephen Arap Soi.

Wario and his Foreign Affairs counterpart Amina Mohammed are expected to travel to Canada to meet Wada officials on the same this week.

“Nock as an affiliate of the International Olympic Committee will make a presentation on the whole issue as we have been party to the Anti-Doping process including formulation and validation of Anti-Doping draft Bill and Anti-Doping Policy, Anti-Doping rules and regulations,” it added.

“We wish to advise all athletes to focus on their preparations for Rio Olympics and we, as Nock, will do everything possible to ensure we participate in the games,” they said.

Byron Kipchumba, a sports management consultant, said there was need for an inclusive policy making in the Anti-Doping laws.

“It is sad we have missed two deadlines and we are still dillydallying on the matter. The government, the State Law office and Parliament ought to roll up their sleeves and ensure we comply with Wada code,” said Kipchumba.

Last week, shocking and furious reactions greeted Wada’s decision to declare Kenya non-compliant of anti-doping rules.

Moses Kiptanui, the three-time world 3,000m steeplechase champion, blamed politics for situation.

“We missed the deadline because we politicised the whole thing. Sports and politics don’t rhyme. The Ministry of Sports should have liaised with other agencies and, therefore, lack of consultation is to blame,” said Kiptanui

In 2003 during the World Athletics Championships in Paris, Kiptanui raised the red flag on doping, but was silenced by Athletics Kenya.

“We are paying the price of our neglect and things have to change. We need to appeal and we should stop chest-thumping. We should not think that Olympics can’t take place without Kenya,” said Kiptanui.

Meanwhile, Cherangany MP and 2012 Boston Marathon winner Wesley Korir has challenged the Ministry of Sports to shed light on alleged changes made to the Anti-Doping Act 2016 before it was passed in parliament.

"We want to be told who made the changes, when, where and why it was done," he said.