Uhuru Kenyatta has assured that Anti-doping Bill 2016 will be passed on time to beat the deadline set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Kenya was handed a to comply with the WADA code and thereby avoid future sanctions.
The government has given the bill priority, the President said, adding he will personally follow up with leaders in the National Assembly to see it passed.
“By next week latest, the bill will have been passed by Parliament and I will have signed it into law so there will be no excuse to deny our teams participation in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August,” Uhuru said.
“We know there are people who are looking for excuses to ensure Kenya does not participate in the Olympics. We will not give them that excuse.
We must win clean."
Uhuru noted
that Kenya’s undisputed position as world athletics champion should not be tainted by doping. He spoke at State House, Nairobi, on Monday
hosted the
Paris and World Half marathon teams.
The enactment of the bill is a key requirement set by WADA for Kenya’s participation in the Rio Olympics that will start on
August 5. The proposed law will make doping a crime inKenya.
Uhuru announced that every athlete who wins
a gold medal will receive a Sh1 million reward, silver Sh500,000 and bronze Sh250,000. He added that winning teams will receive Sh1 million.
“Even if you win prizes, you represent our country. Therefore, we also have a responsibility to appreciate your efforts,” he said.
The President
congratulated the athletes on their sterling performance at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff, wales, in February and at the Paris Marathon this month.
“To the Paris team, you made us very proud. Every meeting we attended in Paris, people were singing ‘Kenya, Kenya, Kenya’ as a result of your efforts.
Congratulations also to the World Half Marathon team for the pride you have brought to our country,” Uhuru said.
The athletes are placing Kenya on the map and presenting what is best about the country, he said, and assured them of government support.
The World Half Marathon Championships team was led by 23-year-old record holder Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor and the Paris team by Cyprian Komurgor Kotut who won the marathon.
The President further announced that the government has put in place measures to ensure Kenya successfully hosts
the World Junior Athletics Championships in July 2017.
Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei thanked Uhuru for his support to athletics and sports in general.
Tuwei assured that Kenyan teams have embarked on preparations and will not disappoint in upcoming competitions.
Sports PS Richard Ekai outlined the steps his ministry has taken to boost sports, including the establishment of the National Anti-doping Agency (NADA) which is operational.