Coaches, Athletes and Food Vendors Face Tougher Rules Under Proposed Anti-Doping Law

Kenya is considering tougher anti-doping measures that could hold coaches and other individuals accountable for encouraging or facilitating the use of prohibited substances in sports.

The proposed Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2026, received support from sports stakeholders in Trans-Nzoia and Bungoma counties during public participation forums held on Monday, October 26.

The consultations were organised by the National Assembly’s Sports and Culture Committee in Kitale and Bungoma and chaired by Malava MP David Ndakwa.

Participants said the proposed changes would promote fair competition, protect clean athletes and strengthen accountability in the sports sector. They argued that individuals who encourage athletes to use banned substances should also face consequences instead of leaving athletes to bear the burden alone.

Basketball coach Bintiah Kiarie welcomed the proposal, saying some coaches had contributed to doping by pressuring athletes to achieve success unfairly.

She maintained that extending accountability to coaches would help protect athletes’ reputations and discourage the use of prohibited substances.

However, football coach Tobias Onjila raised concerns about provisions allowing random and unannounced doping tests, warning that the implementation of the law should respect athletes’ privacy.

Onjila also called for increased public awareness campaigns to educate athletes, coaches and sports administrators about doping and the proposed legislation. He cautioned that the law should not become a tool for settling personal scores or targeting rivals.

Former rugby player Mark Sawa called for the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) to expand its operations beyond Nairobi.

Sawa argued that establishing a stronger presence in counties would improve monitoring, athlete education and enforcement, particularly in regions with active sporting communities.

Ndakwa said the proposed amendments were intended to align Kenya’s anti-doping legislation with the revised World Anti-Doping Code, which takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to clean sport following the provisional suspension of marathon runner Peres Chepchirchir.

The federation said the Athletics Integrity Unit handled the testing procedures and subsequent provisional suspension in accordance with established anti-doping regulations and international standards.

Athletics Kenya reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on doping, pledging to strengthen testing and education programmes to safeguard fairness and integrity in athletics.

https://nairobileo.co.ke/news/article/31082/coaches-food-vendors-face-penalties-under-proposed-anti-doping-law

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