Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has praised Athletics Kenya for conducting its business with the utmost integrity.
At a news conference in Nairobi on Thursday, Namwamba said the local governing body has proven to be a valuable and reliable partner in the fight against doping.
The CS spoke after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) cleared Kenya of a potential ban.
A series of violations among Kenya's athletes led to suspicions that the country would be punished.
“I want to thank the collective effort that has brought us to this moment. I thank AK for being very honest, and very candid on this whole matter. They have been very valuable and effective partners of government,” Namwamba said.
“Indeed in this matter of doping, AK has taught us that we can run our sport with a firm commitment to fidelity and integrity,” he added.
In his remarks, Namwamba said earning big money through sports should not be used as an excuse to engage in bad behaviour that might harm the country's reputation.
“We want to turn sports into a mega industry that is nonetheless defined by integrity.”
While thanking the World Athletics for handing Kenya a lifeline, AK president Jack Tuwei expressed disappointment in rogue athletes who have blemished the country's image.
“You know our history as AK. We have come a long way. Remember two years ago we celebrated the 70th anniversary of athletics in this country which has been clean all the way,” Tuwei said.
“But in the recent past, we've had quite a bit of a challenge due to the rise in doping cases,” he added.
In response to the WA report, Tuwei said government and AK will meet to discuss the next steps.
“We now have a verdict from World Athletics and we need to sit down and see what is there for us, and what we need to do.”
He praised all Kenyan athletes who remained true to their country's values in the face of adversity.
“We have gone through a lot but our athletes have done great work and put us on the world map and brought us glory.
"We would especially like to thank those who ran in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. They ran clean and never caused any trouble for this country even when they didn't get paid a cent. We didn't see the kind of things we see today."
Tuwei emphasized AK's desire to support clean sports, warning athletes that the use of performance-enhancing drugs would be costly in the long run.
"You can earn money from athletics but fail to enjoy it due to the effects of drugs that enhance the body. That money can't help you recover when you get into trouble."
AK chief administrative officer, Susan Kamau promised that they will work closely with the Ministry of Sports to develop sports.
"We will work with the ministry and support the CS office. We encourage our athletes to run clean," Kamau said.
Athlete representative Milka Chemos who witnessed the WA verdict in Rome said there was already a comprehensive plan in place to sensitize emerging talent on the detriments of doping.
“We will use the funds provided by the government to educate the Under 20 athletes. We promise that we are going to do our best and ensure there is no doping in the future anymore.”
Team Kenya head coach Julius Kirwa said coaches had a big role to play in preaching integrity. “We promise to mobilize our athletes and teach them integrity. We thank the government for supporting the coaches in what they do."
