Wada President Witold Banka warned Kenya must demonstrate it can be a "clean" home of athletics to retain credibility ahead of the 2029 World Athletics Championships. Speaking after a three-day visit to Nairobi, Banka held talks with President William Ruto and officials, emphasizing that promises of zero tolerance must be matched by results. Kenya was awarded the 2029 championships in September, making it the first African host.
However, over 140 Kenyan athletes have been suspended since 2017. Banka stressed the need to strengthen the independent Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) and government support. A major challenge is the lack of Wada-accredited laboratories in Africa, following the revocation of the Bloemfontein facility's accreditation in May 2025.
Banka cautioned against expecting a new lab accredited in time for 2029, urging Kenya to strengthen its testing system instead. He rejected the notion that doping is exclusively a Kenyan or African problem, citing cases in the US, Germany, and Poland. Wada can investigate sport but cannot dismantle criminal networks, he said, noting intelligence indicates performance-enhancing drugs are produced in Kenya.
Athletes are the "weakest points", requiring authorities to pursue coaches, doctors, and suppliers. The stakes extend beyond staging a successful championship for a nation whose distance runners have defined global athletics for generations.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing