Evans Achoki (L) with Sarah Shibutse and Christine Mugera/ TEDDY MULEIThe Africa Zone V Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) has launched a renewed drive to strengthen the continent’s fight against doping through enhanced capacity building and regional collaboration.
This commitment took centre stage at the Africa Zone V Anti-Doping Training Workshop, a two-day event hosted in partnership with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), and supported by SuperSport and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The workshop, which began on Wednesday, brings together 21 Doping Control Officers (DCOs) from nine countries — Burundi, Eritrea, The Gambia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda — for advanced training on anti-doping procedures, ethics and best practices.
Leading the sessions are Kenyan trainers Rooney Sumba, Karen Wairimu, Mary Kairu and Frederick Makale.
Former ADAK Chief Executive Officer and Kenya’s Zone V representative Sarah Shibutse hailed the workshop as a landmark step in reinforcing Africa’s collective resolve for clean and fair sport.
“One of the ways to ensure countries have strong anti-doping systems is by investing in training for doping control officers,” Shibutse said.
“These officers are the ones athletes interact with most, so they must understand their role deeply and embody integrity at every stage.”
Bringing DCOs together fosters both skill development and shared learning.
“The reason we have brought them together is to sync their experiences. What you learn in training and what actually happens in the field can be very different,” she noted. “By exchanging first-hand experiences, they will be better equipped to implement effective doping control back home.”
The training comes at a crucial time, following a wave of doping sanctions involving some of Africa’s top athletes. Kenya’s marathon record holder, Ruth Chepng’etich, was recently handed a three-year ban, while former half-marathon world record holder Kibiwott Kandie was provisionally suspended. Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji and Morocco’s Anouar El Ghouz have also faced disciplinary action.
Shibutse said strong national agencies are vital for sustaining clean sport.
“A country’s NADO is only as strong as its neighbours,” she said. “In Africa Zone V, we want every member nation to have a credible, effective anti-doping agency.”
She lauded Kenya, Egypt and Ethiopia for leading the way, saying their experience serves as a foundation to uplift other nations.
Evans Achoki, Secretary of Administration in the State Department of Sports, reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the anti-doping cause.
“We are doing well in anti-doping. ADAK has the government’s full backing to carry out its mandate,” Achoki said.
