Kenya must be 'clean' to be credible, says Wada chief
Wada president Witold Banka said after a visit to Nairobi that Kenya must show it is a home of clean sport ahead of the 2029 World Athletics Championships. He warned that government promises must be backed by results.
Kenya has to show it can be a "clean" home of athletics if it wants to keep its credibility while preparing for the 2029 World Athletics Championships, says Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).
He spoke at the close of a three-day trip to Nairobi, where he met President William Ruto, government and sports officials, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak), athletes and law enforcement representatives. Wada said the aim was to build on recent progress in Kenya's anti-doping programme.
Increased scrutiny
Kenya was awarded the event in September and is the first African country to host it. The decision has intensified scrutiny of its efforts against a long-running doping problem. The Athletics Integrity Unit has suspended more than 140 Kenyan athletes, mostly distance runners, since 2017.
Banka, a former Polish sports minister, said he received a clear commitment from Ruto's government to a zero-tolerance policy on doping, but warned that promises must be matched by results. He said the talks also covered strengthening an independent Adak and ensuring it has enough government backing. "The problem is not with rules and standards," he said. "The problem is with implementation."
Laboratory gap
Africa currently has no Wada-accredited doping control laboratory after the facility in Bloemfontein, South Africa, lost its accreditation. Wada suspended it in March 2024 and formally revoked accreditation in May 2025. Banka said Kenya has shown political interest in setting up its own laboratory, but should not expect accreditation before the 2029 championships, since the process takes years.
Networks and athletes
Banka rejected the idea that doping is only a Kenyan or African problem, citing cases in the United States, Germany and Poland. He said Wada cannot dismantle the criminal networks supplying banned substances, which is a job for law enforcement. According to him, intelligence indicates performance-enhancing drugs are produced in Kenya and that Africa is a significant market. He argued that authorities must pursue not only athletes but also the coaches, doctors, managers and suppliers who enable doping.
