MPs recalled from recess to debate anti-doping amendment

The National Assembly will convene for a special sitting on Thursday next week to pass amendments to the recently enacted Anti-Doping Act which was termed defective by World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

Speaker Justin Muturi says that during the morning and afternoon sessions, MPs will also look at international anti-doping policies and the Bribery Bill, 2016 taken through the first reading.

A Kenyan delegation including the Foreign Affairs and Sports ministers travelled to Canada early this week for talks with Wada on the Act which the anti-doping agency said was non-compliant with its code.

The delegation afterwards announced that both sides had agreed on a road map that will see the country become fully compliant with the Wada Anti-Doping Code.

Wada further made it clear that Kenya will not be barred from competing in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil despite her shortcomings.

“Kenyan athletes will continue to participate in international sport and should have representation in this year’s Olympic Games in August,” read part of the statement.

The Act establishes an anti-doping agency whose functions include promotion of sports activities which are free from use of prohibited substances or methods intended to artificially enhance performance.

MPs made several changes to the original Bill which had been approved by Wada thereby leading to inconsistencies with the code.

The original Bill had for example stated that Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) members should not hold office in a political party, a provision deleted by the MPs.

A number of Kenyan athletes have been banned from participating in international competitions after being found to have used barred drugs.