Kenya is set to criminalise doping in athletics, to crack down on it in the same way it does with narcotics because the "national brand" is "at stake
Kenya is set to criminalise doping in athletics, to crack down on it in the same way it does with narcotics because the “national brand” is “at stake”, Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba has told the BBC’s Mitchel Katami.
It comes after several Kenyan athletes were banned from sport for doping, even if the country itself escaped a ban.
So far this year more than a dozen athletes from the East African country have been suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a range of violations.
Kenya simply cannot afford another ban after having faced a football ban, Mr Namwamba said.
“We have not attempted to conceal anything. We have owned up that we have a problem,” he said.
He also explained the importance of enforcement and the financial commitment – $5m (£4m) over five years – Nairobi is making to stamp out doping.
“We needed to strengthen capabilities in investigation, prosecution, and general enforcement because one of the weakest links in that war is enforcement,” Mr Namwamba said.
“I believe that I’ll convince parliament on the seriousness of this matter,” he added.
BBC Africa
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