President Kenyatta signs Anti-Doping Bill into law

What you need to know:

The Labour and Social Welfare Committee had proposed to have the punishment for this made a maximum of Sh5 million or five years but that was roundly rejected by MPs.
Those caught transporting, stocking or supplying prohibited substances or gives them to an athlete will be liable to a fine of a minimum Sh3 million or to jail for a minimum three years, or both.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has today signed the Anti-Doping Bill into law ahead of the May 2, 2016 deadline set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The Bill stipulates the penalties for athletes and those who engage in activities that promote doping.

“As I’ve repeatedly emphasized, Kenya is 100 per cent committed to ensuring total compliance with International Olympic Committee or any other International Organisation,” said President Kenyatta.

Part of the legislations is punishment for athletes who refuse to give samples, documents or anything to the anti-doping agency which is pegged at a maximum Sh100,000 fine or a maximum one year in jail, or both.

False statement

The same punishment will also be due for those who lie to the agency or make a false statement or in any way interferes with the work of the agency.

Those caught transporting, stocking or supplying prohibited substances or gives them to an athlete will be liable to a fine of a minimum Sh3 million or to jail for a minimum three years, or both.

READ: Relief as Parliament passes Anti-Doping law

Medics or traditional herbalists who prescribe banned substances or methods to athletes will pay up at least Sh3 million to the authorities or go to jail for at least three years, or suffer the double jeopardy of both.

The signing ceremony which took place at State House Nairobi, was witnessed by prominent sportsmen and women led by the Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario.