Kenyans can breathe with ease: Global anti-doping agency praises Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya’s impressive strides

ANTI DOPING SEMINAR (Seated on chairs From Left) Athletes Mercy Cherono, Milcah Chemos and Janeth Jepkosgey with fellow athletes pose with banners advocating for anti doping after attending an anti doping seminar in Kapsabet, Nandi County. The athletes praised the initiative saying it was long overdue. 15-12-2015. PHOTOS BY: KEVIN TUNOI

Kenya athletes off Wada radar!

Watchdog removes the nation from watch list and halts its compliance monitoring procedure on banned substances.

Athletics Kenya has lauded the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya for its efforts to ensure the country is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency code.

The global anti-doping agency, AK said, addressed all the critical and important corrective actions outlined in an audit report it compiled.

Kenya was placed on the IAAF doping watch list in 2016 after being ruled non-compliant by Wada following a string of drug scandals that saw some of the country’s top athletes punished for using prohibited substances.

In a letter dated September 1, addressed to the CEO of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak), Japhter Rugut, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) confirmed that it had halted its compliance monitoring procedure following Adak’s evident commitment to the fight against doping.

“We have reviewed all the documents provided and concluded that you have successfully addressed all critical and important corrective actions, as outlined in the final audit report.

"Wada will continue to monitor the implementation of your anti-poping programmes and will also be available for any assistance or support, if required,” Wada said.

Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jackson Tuwei paid glowing tribute to Adak, terming it, “a great development in curbing cheating in sports".

“That’s a good move for Kenya. Other countries take longer to be declared compliant. For now, there is a need for intensive education on anti-doping and out-of-competition testing as these are the key issues we should concentrate on. We will keep working closely with Adak,” Tuwei told The Standard Sports.

Some 43 athletes failed doping tests in the run-up to the Rio Olympics. Rita Jeptoo, who chalked up three wins at the Boston Marathon, was the biggest casualty after she tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) in an out-of-competition test on 25 September, 2014.

Head coach Julius Kirwa, who guided the Beijing (2015) and London (2016) worlds teams in which Kenya was first and second respectively, said Wada’s decision resulted from a collective effort by athletics stakeholders.

“I thank Adak, AK, and our athletes for playing their roles. It was a team effort. Now athletes can prepare for any championships without the ‘watch list’ tag hanging over them. I call on Adak to keep up the same spirit and ensure we remain clean,” said Kirwa.

In January, AK unveiled a raft of regulations to govern elite athletes seeking medical attention from Kenya Doctors Network, a group of six doctors located in different parts of the country who attend to elite athletes.