Doping War: Kenya, WADA Target Steroid Supply Chains

 By Michael Nyamai -

Nairobi, Kenya, October 6, 2026 - Kenya and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have stepped up the war against doping, with the government promising to strengthen the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) while WADA pushes for a tougher crackdown on networks producing, smuggling and trafficking illegal steroids.

WADA President Witold Bańka (left) with Sports CS Salim Mvurya (centre) and other officials during an anti-doping engagement in Nairobi. //PHOTO COURTESY:

Speaking during a high-level media engagement in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya said the government would continue providing the necessary support to ADAK as Kenya seeks to match its global sporting status with a stronger anti-doping framework.

“Kenya is a global sporting powerhouse, and therefore, if you look at the continent, we also need equally to move ADAK to the profile that we have as a country,” Mvurya said.

The CS said the fight against doping must go beyond ADAK and involve multiple government agencies responsible for intelligence gathering, investigations, enforcement and other preventive measures.

He said Kenya is also working with Parliament to amend its anti-doping policy and legislation ahead of the implementation of WADA’s new Code in 2027.

Mvurya said the government was committed to creating an ecosystem that promotes integrity in sport while strengthening preventive measures and enforcement against doping.

“We will continue to partner with the World Anti-Doping Agency,” he said, adding that Kenya was seeking additional capacity from WADA to strengthen ADAK.

WADA President Witold Bańka, meanwhile, called for a more aggressive approach against the people behind the supply of performance-enhancing substances, warning that athletes alone should not bear the burden of the fight against doping.

Bańka said a historic meeting had brought together Kenyan prosecutors, police, customs, immigration and intelligence officials to create what he termed a “coalition for clean sport.”

“We need to approach it more technically, more aggressively, and go against those who are producing those substances, who are producing, smuggling and trafficking illegal steroids to the athletes and destroying their careers and their lives,” Bańka said.

He said WADA could not effectively tackle the problem alone and stressed the importance of strong cooperation with Kenyan law-enforcement agencies to dismantle networks involved in the production and trafficking of illegal steroids.

Bańka said his meetings with President William Ruto and Kenyan authorities had established a common understanding on the need to enforce a zero-tolerance approach to doping.

“Kenya, of course, is probably home of champions,” Bańka said, adding that a credible sporting powerhouse must also promote a clean sporting culture.

He expressed confidence that the new cooperation would strengthen Kenya’s anti-doping efforts and position the country as a model for Africa in the fight against doping.

Bańka said the coalition’s work should begin immediately, with WADA, ADAK and Kenyan public authorities working together to protect athletes and safeguard Kenya’s reputation as a global sporting nation.

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