There is no denying Kenya is a global athletics powerhouse but it must be acknowledged in equal measure the sport is in a state of decline due to increased cases of doping by some elite runners.

Kenya is in the midst of a doping crisis, literally, which has put the country at risk of being banned from all international athletics competitions by the global athletics governing body, World Athletics. This is likely to roll back the gains Kenya has made in the sport in which runners rake in millions of shillings in cash prizes for making a podium finish. Already, Athletics Kenya has expressed concern over the blatant breach of rules by some athletes, which have seen the country being blacklisted by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

AK must be commended for its bold move to acknowledge wrongdoing but what is of the essence at this point is for sports officials to re-evaluate the direction in which Kenya is headed as an athletics powerhouse. Unfortunately, despite Kenya dominating the world athletics landscape for decades, this sterling performance could be cast into doubt if the notoriety of athletes using performance-enhancing drugs is not nipped in the bud.

The fact that the Anti-doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has expressed its displeasure over the trend lends signals there is need for government agencies to unite and find a lasting solution to protect the integrity of the country and the reputation of its athletes.

The new administration ought to build on the work already done by the Uhuru Kenyatta government that preceded it. The retired Head of State  raised concern over doping cases among top runners in September 2020 and called on the Sports ministry to enhance its anti-doping education programme to prevent further violations.

Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Cabinet Secretary nominee Ababu Namwamba, who has been vetted for the job and is awaiting confirmation, has largely agreed with the position that the retired president espoused.

Perhaps it’s high time that the Sports ministry educates athletes that it is counterproductive to use banned performance-enhancement drugs.

Besides being locked out of global competitions, athletes are also likely to suffer long term adverse health side effects and the risk of premature death associated with the use of banned substances. That is why they, too, must choose to be part of the solution, not the problem.