WADA sees Kenya progress, puts ADAK on watch list after non-compliance

VIDEO SHOWS: WADA (WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY) PRESS CONFERENCE / INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY WITOLD BANKA RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (OCTOBER 30, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY, WITOLD BANKA, STEPPING UP TO PODIUM 2. VARIOUS OF BANKA SPEAKING 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY, WITOLD BANKA, SAYING:     “Yeah, a few weeks ago, Kenya was declared non-compliant with serious consequences, but in accordance with the rules, they had a time to address the issues. So, there was a strong declaration from the government and from a political point of view, they are going to invest more money in anti-doping programs. So, in accordance with standards, they were moved from the ‘non-compliance’ to the ‘watch list’. It means they are under surveillance. We will observe them and of course, we are waiting on stronger actions from them. If they do not address things properly, they’re going to be ‘non-compliant’ (again) with very serious consequences. So, they have time now to improve the situation. But of course, it’s clear there is a serious problem with doping in Kenya. And it requires very strong action from the government side. If not, they’re going to be serious consequences for the country.”  4. VARIOUS OF BANKA SPEAKING AT CONFERENCE 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY, WITOLD BANKA, SAYING:     “Well, there is a process, but one of the consequences is when you are declared non-compliant, you cannot host international and continental events. And other consequences – after months, if you don’t fix it, you know, with corrective actions and other requirements from our side, even your flag cannot be in international sporting events.” 6. VARIOUS OF BANKA SPEAKING AT CONFERENCE STORY: Kenya's anti-doping agency ADAK will move onto WADA's watch list in an easing of the non-compliant status announced last month, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced on Thursday (October 30). ADAK was warned in September of serious consequences unless the East African nation addressed critical requirements following an audit carried out in May last year. While not expecting change to come overnight, WADA warned that non-compliance remained a threat for the future with concern about recent ways of operating. Kenya's women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich was banned for three years last week after she admitted to anti-doping rule violations. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said last month that things had improved in Kenya over the past year after previously being described as the 'Wild West' for doping. However, including Chepngetich, 20 Kenyans have been banned by the AIU so far in 2025. WADA president Witold Banka told Reuters the Kenyan government had made a strong declaration that it would spend more on anti-doping programmes. "If they don't address this thing properly, they are going to be non-compliant (again) with the very serious consequences, so they have a time now to improve the situation," he said. "But of course it's clear that there is a serious problem with doping in Kenya and it requires very strong action from the government side." Banka said consequences would include being barred from hosting international and continental events and flying the flag abroad. (Production: Will Russell, Kurt Michael Hall)

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