Kenya’s anti-doping agency risks sanctions over WADA non-compliance: summary

What we know

• Kenya’s Anti-Doping Agency (ADAK) has been declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) code, a ruling that could carry significant consequences for the country’s athletics governance if the matter is not resolved by 2 October 2025. 
• The decision, announced on Thursday by WADA’s Executive Committee, follows recommendations by its independent Compliance Review Committee after ADAK failed to meet key obligations identified during an audit conducted in May last year.
• In line with Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), ADAK has a 21-day window from the date of receiving formal notice to contest WADA’s findings, the proposed sanctions, or the conditions for reinstatement. 
• If Kenya does not respond within that period or fails to address the cited deficiencies, the country risks losing access to all WADA privileges. This includes the suspension of funding and exclusion from agency programs. 
• Furthermore, Kenyan representatives would be barred from holding any positions on WADA boards or committees, and Kenya would become ineligible to host WADA-sanctioned events at regional, continental or global levels during the period of non-compliance.

What they said

WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli, expressed disappointment over the development, stressing the importance of uniform accountability across the anti-doping system. “It is always disappointing when a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code is alleged as non-compliant,” he said. “However, it is crucially important for the global system that Anti-Doping Organisations are held to the same high standards that we expect from athletes,” Reuters quotes. WADA further stated that the decision, including all its consequences, will automatically take effect on 2 October 2025 unless it is formally challenged before that date. Niggli added that WADA remains committed to working with non-compliant organisations to help them improve and regain compliance, for the benefit of athletes both domestically and internationally.