Kenya’s war against doping purge has moved a notch higher after President William Ruto reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling the menace that has threatened the reputation of the country as a global athletics powerhouse.

World Athletics boss Sebastian Coe met President Ruto at State House yesterday and commended Kenya’s efforts to combat doping vice.

“I’m glad to have met President Ruto and for sure am pleased with Kenya’s commitment to this war against doping.

“The President assured me that no efforts will be spared in the war. The Minister for Sports (Ababu) has taken the time to brief me on the multi-ministerial engagements towards getting solutions,” Coe said.

He added: “The plan has merit, direction and purpose. The task now is to implement the plans, to drive the change for an increased level of results. Without that, the plans will not yield desired results.”

Late last year Kenya survived a ban scare from World Athletics due to an increased number of athletes found guilty of various doping violations.

Global competitions

Kenya has continued to produce triumphant middle and long-distance runners who have won a plentiful of gold medals at different global competitions.

The country was ranked third in medal standings during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics games.

A total of 30 Kenyan runners were either banned or suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit(AIU) for using prohibited substances.

The government of Kenya has committed a whooping Ksh. 619m yearly to aid in tackling the flustering menace head-on.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba insisted on the government’s commitment to zero tolerance on doping noting that different state agencies have unity of purpose to salvage Kenya’s heritage in athletics.

“Our commitment is zero tolerance to doping. Through the highlights of our World beaters, we are a country that is advocating for running clean and winning clean.

“That is the tradition we are proud of and we will do everything to uphold this record. Statistics show that Kenya actually accounts for 40 per cent of world athletics doping cases.

“We have accepted the reality and the challenge is to put our house in order to fight the doping menace. The Ministry of Sports is working with Education, Health and Interior ministries to achieve our target in this issue,” said Namwamba.

Anti Doping Agency of Kenya(ADAK) has revealed that it will be releasing names of local athletes sanctioned for various use of prohibited substances.

Kenya is in Category A under the Anti-Doping Rules of World Athletics which means its athletes must undergo at least three non-notice, out -of competition tests before major events.

Neighbours and perennial athletics rivals Ethiopia are also in Category A. Other countries in the same category include Belarus, Bahrain, Ukraine, Nigeria and Morocco.