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Anti-Doping

Doping not only goes against the spirit of sportsmanship but also poses serious health risks to athletes. It’s crucial to maintain a doping-free environment to uphold the integrity of sports and ensure a level playing field for all participants.
The government acknowledges the severity of the doping crisis in Kenya and emphasizes the need for a collective approach to address it.

Due to the pivotal role athletics plays in Kenya, there is need for fostering collaborative efforts within the country as well as neighboring countries. This is also because doping tarnishes, the achievements of clean athletes and undermines the national pride associated with sporting success.

Previously with the absence of a legal framework and policies to operate on Athletics Kenya, there was need to come up with a structure that affirms rules and regulations, and this led to ratification of the UNESCO Convention.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) is a State Corporation established through the Anti-Doping Act No. 5 of 2016.
ADAK is the primary governing body for anti-doping in Kenya with a broader mandate encompassing all sports within the country:
  1. To carry out the fight against Doping in Sports through anti-doping values based education, sensitization and awareness campaigns.
  2. To protect the ‘clean athlete’ by carrying out effective doping tests among all Kenyan athletes.
  3. To uphold the integrity of sport through Intelligence Gathering, Investigations and Results Management of Anti-Doping Rules Violations (ADRVs)
NOCK’s affiliation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) necessitates adherence to the IOC’s regulations, which include anti-doping measures.
NOCK contributes to the fight against doping by:
  1. Promoting Anti-Doping Education: NOCK can actively educate athletes and sports officials about anti-doping regulations and the associated consequences of violations.
  2. Financial Support: NOCK can potentially provide financial resources to support ADAK’s anti-doping initiatives.
  3. Collaboration: Maintaining open communication and collaborating with ADAK in fostering a culture of clean sports within the Kenyan sporting community.
WADA acts as a unified force for anti-doping efforts globally. By having a single entity establish regulations and oversee their implementation, a standardized approach can be achieved across different sports and countries.
In Performing its role, WADA focuses on:
  • Prohibited List: Maintaining an updated list of banned substances and methods is essential. WADA constantly reviews and revises this list based on scientific advancements and the evolving tactics used for doping.
  • Education and Research: WADA actively promotes athlete education on doping rules and the associated health risks. Additionally, they support scientific research to stay ahead of emerging doping methods and develop effective testing procedures.
  • Laboratory Accreditation: WADA accredits laboratories worldwide that conduct doping tests. This ensures consistent and reliable testing standards across different facilities.
  • Compliance and Monitoring: They work with governments and sports organizations to ensure adherence to the World Anti-Doping Code.
  • Intelligence and Investigations: WADA actively gathers information and collaborates with relevant authorities to detect and investigate doping violations.
  • Capacity Building: They provide support and resources to national anti-doping organizations to strengthen their capabilities in the fight against doping.

2025 WADA List of prohibited substances and methods in force from 1 January 2025.

The 2025 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List) and the 2025 Monitoring Program come into force on 1 January 2025. The 2025 List was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 12 September 2024.

The List is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). It designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.

Major modifications for 2025 

As outlined in the 2025 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, the major modifications for 2025 include the following:

  • Further examples were added to the following substance classes to help athletes and their entourage better identify prohibited substances:
    • S0. Non-approved substances,
    • S4. Hormone and metabolic modulators,
    • S5. Diuretics and masking agents, and
    • S6. Stimulants.
  • The dosing intervals of formoterol have been changed, though the maximum daily delivered dose remains the same.
  • Donation of blood and blood components including by apheresis are no longer prohibited if performed in an accredited collection center.
  • Hydrafinil is now classified as a non-specified stimulant.
  • It is clarified that guanfacine is not a prohibited substance.
  • Beta-blockers are no longer prohibited in any skiing and snowboarding disciplines.

Annual list review process 

WADA leads an annual revision process concerning the List, beginning with an initial meeting in January and concluding with the publication of the List by 1 October. This is an extensive consultation process that includes WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group gathering information including the latest scientific and medical research, trends, and intelligence gathered from law enforcement and pharmaceutical companies; circulating a draft List among stakeholders; and, taking their submissions into consideration to revise the draft, followed by review by the Agency’s Health, Medical and Research (HMR) Committee. The HMR Committee then makes its recommendations to WADA’s ExCo, which approves the List during its September meeting.

For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must be determined that it meets at least two of the following three criteria:

  1. It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance
  2. It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athletes
  3. It violates the spirit of sport

The List is released three months ahead of it taking effect so that athletes, their entourage, and other stakeholders can acquaint themselves with any modifications. Ultimately, athletes are responsible for prohibited substances found in their body and prohibited methods found to have been used.

WADA  Website and International Standards

WADA WEBSITE

WADA Standards

The WADA International Standards can be found here.

The World Anti-Doping Code (Code) works in conjunction with six International Standards aimed at bringing harmonization among anti-doping organizations in various technical areas, namely:

Links to WADA’s free online educational resources:
• Anti-Doping e-learning platform (ADeL)
• Doping Control Process Video
• Athlete Reference Guide to the 2021 Code
• Dangers of Doping: Get the Facts leaflet
• Doping Control Process

WADA Prohibited Association list