WADA further made it clear that Kenya will not be barred from competing in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil despite her shortcomings/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 26 – Members of the National Assembly are expected to hold a special sitting Thursday to approve amendments to the anti-doping law.
House Speaker Justin Muturi recalled the legislators back from their month long recess to amend the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya Act and any other business related to international anti-doping policies.
This comes after Kenya’s delegation led by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed met with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officials including Director General David Howman in Montreal, Canada and committed to expedite amendments to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya Act, as recommended by the World Anti Doping Agency.
In order to fully comply with WADA regulations, Kenya needs to adopt the negotiated amendments as agreed with WADA, present the amended clauses to Parliament, get presidential assent then re-submit the amended law.
The delegation announced that both sides had agreed on a road map that will see the country become fully compliant with the WADA Anti-Doping Code.
WADA further made it clear that Kenya will not be barred from competing in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil despite her shortcomings.
The Act establishes an Anti-Doping Agency whose functions include promotion of sports activities which are free from use of prohibited substances or methods intended to artificially enhance performance.
MPs made several changes to the original Bill which had been approved by WADA thereby leading to inconsistencies with the code.
The original Bill had for example stated that the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya members should not hold office in a political party, a provision deleted by the MPs.
Thursday’s special sitting will also seek the approval of the nominees for appointment to the National Government Constituency Development Fund Committees and the First Reading of the Bribery Bill, 2016.
About The Author
