Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba wants a preventive approach taken in the fight against doping in what he termed as the best way to rid Kenya of the scourge.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of a two-day Anti-doping retreat organised by the Enhanced Anti-doping Steering Project Committee, the CS stated, "One positive test is one case too many.”
The CS highlighted the need for targeted intelligence to address the entire doping chain, including doctors, coaches and managers, not just the athletes.
He stressed that successful anti-doping efforts must involve breaking every link in the chain and changing the culture among athletes.
CS Ababu advocated for a multi-agency approach, calling for training camps to be open, transparent and responsible.
He also urged the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to collaborate and build local capacity to combat doping.
He said a collective approach to the menace was key if stakeholders in the fight against doping were to attain success.
The CS revealed that he has been part of the Anti-doping conversation for the last 12 years. “I started the conversation on how to confront the monster in November 2012 when I was the CS Sports Sports. I left and 10 years later I returned and found a looming crisis over the same. I am glad I have played a leading role in averting a looming ban,” he noted. He emphasised that his ministry believes in the mantra: “It’s more honourable to lose than to cheat.”
He said Kenya doesn’t take pride in being grouped in Category ‘A’ and explained: “That is why we must get rid of the menace and compete freely with pride.”
He said success in doping should be based on how many athletes the country has saved from doping and not the other way around.
“We must be better surgeons, not morticians. Morticians deal with people who have expired while surgeons save lives.”
Athletics Kenya (AK) President, Gen Jackson Tuwei, supported CS Ababu's remarks, encouraging the Steering Committee to create a Kenyan anti-doping model that could be replicated in other African nations.
The government has committed significant resources to this cause, including a US$25 million investment over the next five years, which has helped Kenya avoid a ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Also present during the meeting were ADAK board chairman Amb. Daniel Makdwallo, Steering Committee chairman Hon. Wesley Korir and ADAK CEO Sarah Shibutse among others.
