The Kenyan Government has slashed the budget for Kenya Anti-Doping Agency ADAK by Ksh 268m to KSh 20m in the financial year 2024/25 there by subsequently putting the country at the risk of of being declared non-complaint by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).

Speaking to the media on Tuesday at the Agency’s headquarters in Nairobi, ADAK Chairman Amb. Daniel Makdwallo expressed deep concern over the significant budget cut, stating that it has effectively halted the Agency’s operations.

“We are at risk of not being able to host or send any of our sportsmen and women for international competitions because the Agency cannot carry out its regular testing activities, both in and out of competition,” said Amb. Makdwallo.

“No legal prosecutions can proceed against athletes who have violated anti-doping policies, and no anti-doping education programs can continue.”

The outgoing chairman urgently appealed to the Government to restore the budget, stressing that testing alone costs approximately 600-700 euros per athlete.

Over the past three years, the Agency has sanctioned 78 athletes for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), a critical role that is now in jeopardy.

The reduction in funding threatens Kenya’s standing in international sports, as failure to comply with WADA requirements could result in the country’s athletes being banned from global competitions.

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