WADA Gives Kenya 21-Day Ultimatum Over Anti-Doping Non-Compliance

Nairobi, Kenya — 2025-09-12 12:00 EAT. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has issued a formal notice to Kenya’s Anti-Doping Agency (ADAK), giving it 21 days to respond to allegations of failing to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code. The ultimatum follows an audit in May 2024 that flagged significant gaps in Kenya’s rules, regulations and legislation. Kenya must respond by October 2, 2025 or face sanctions. 

1) The Latest

• During its Compliance Review Committee meeting on September 11, 2025, WADA officially alleged that ADAK has not met several “critical requirements” identified in the May 2024 audit. 

• The notice points out that if Kenya does not file an adequate response or dispute the claims via the allowed process, the proposed consequences will take effect starting October 2, 2025. 

• Potential penalties include loss of WADA privileges, ineligibility to host WADA-sanctioned events, and disbarment of Kenyan representatives from WADA boards or committees.

2) Context in Brief

• The May 2024 audit was conducted under WADA’s compliance standards, which assess adherence to the World Anti-Doping Code, related regulations and legislation. 

• ADAK has already faced criticism in recent years over reduced funding, capacity challenges, and delays in implementing required regulatory reforms. 

• This development comes while Kenya has expressed interest in bidding to host major athletics events, including the 2029 World Athletics Championship. 

3) Law, Policy, and Process

• Standard invoked: Under the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), Article 9.3.1 gives signatories 21 days to dispute allegations of non-compliance and proposed consequences. 

• Mandates:

  • ADAK, as Kenya’s National Anti-Doping Organisation, must align national codes, legislation and procedures with WADA’s Code.

  • The Kenyan sports ministry and Parliament may need to amend or enact relevant laws if gaps are found.

• What should happen next:

  1. ADAK should review the audit findings, identify and correct the critical gaps.

  2. Submit a detailed response to WADA before or by the deadline.

  3. Put in place legislative, regulatory or procedural reforms as required.

4) Risks and Implications

• Hosting bids endangered: Should Kenya be declared non-compliant, hosting international athletics meets or WADA-sanctioned competitions may be disallowed. 

• Funding and technical support lost: ADAK could lose access to WADA-affiliated funding, training, and international collaboration. 

• Reputation risk: Kenya’s integrity in sport could be questioned; athletes may face issues of testing and eligibility.

• Athlete impact: Kenyan athletes could be affected in terms of eligibility to compete internationally during non-compliance periods.

5) What We Don’t Know Yet

• The precise list of “critical requirements” Kenya failed to meet hasn’t been publicly detailed. 

• Whether ADAK or the government has already begun implementing fixes.

• The extent to which this non-compliance will affect ongoing or planned events if no remedy is accepted.

• What internal Kenyan stakeholders (sports ministry, anti-doping bodies, athlete groups) are responding or planning to do.

6) Timeline