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• Frank Rotich 16 days ago

WADA boss Banka urges Kenya to break doping networks

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Witold Bańka has challenged Kenyan authorities to move beyond testing athletes and instead dismantle the criminal networks supplying banned substances to the country’s sports community.

Bańka says the fight against doping cannot be won by anti-doping agencies alone, calling for closer cooperation between police, customs officials, intelligence agencies, prosecutors and other government institutions.

The WADA president made the remarks on Tuesday at the end of his three-day visit to Nairobi, where he held discussions with key Kenyan officials on strengthening the country’s anti-doping efforts.

Bańka said WADA and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya need the full support of law enforcement agencies to track down people involved in the production, trafficking and smuggling of illegal steroids.

He said an inter-agency meeting bringing together security and justice institutions was a major step towards creating a stronger response to doping-related crime.

Bańka also held talks with President William Ruto at State House, where he said the two sides discussed Kenya’s ambitions in sport and the responsibility that comes with hosting major international competitions.

Kenya is set to host major sporting events in the coming years, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

Bańka warned that Kenya’s growing role as a sporting and event-hosting nation will bring increased international scrutiny, making clean sport an important part of the country’s sporting reputation.

He urged authorities to take tougher action against individuals who exploit athletes through illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Bańka expressed confidence that Kenya can strengthen its anti-doping systems and become a model for other African countries in the fight against doping.

He said the ultimate goal should be to protect athletes, their careers and dreams while preserving Kenya’s reputation as a global athletics powerhouse.