Committee ordered to collect views on anti-doping legislation

By Vereso Mwanga 

The Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi has ordered the House Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to convene a sitting on Thursday morning this week and collect views from Sports stakeholders regarding the draft anti-doping legislation.

Muturi issued the directive after Cherangany MP Wesley Korir raised the red flag protesting laxity by the committee even as the April 5, 2016 deadline set by Word Anti Doping Agency (WADA) fast approaches.

Korir informed the house that he had presented himself before the committee thrice to submit proposals without success.

According to Korir the committee has been unable to raise a quorum on all three occasions. Neither the committee Chairperson David Were nor his deputy Tiya Galgalo was present to respond to Korir’s claims.

Their absence prompted the Speaker to clarify that appropriate action will be taken including reconstituting the committee if it fails to hold a session as directed.

The recently formed Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has drafted a Bill which it hopes will be passed by Parliament in compliance with WADA rules.

Kenyan track and field athletes risk a ban from international competitions including the 2016 Rio Olympics scheduled for August if an anti-doping law is not enacted in time.

About 40 athletes have been suspended since 2012 after testing positive for banned substances.

In addition four high ranking Athletics Kenya officials are serving provisional suspensions as the international athletics governing body (IAAF) investigates their involvement in doping.