Seb Coe has acknowledged Kenya’s strides in combating doping but remains cautious about declaring outright victory. While expressing optimism about recent progress, the World Athletics president has stopped short of confirming whether the nation is successfully overcoming the challenge.
Kenya remains in Category A, the highest risk classification for doping violations, and was previously on the verge of being banned by World Athletics due to the rising number of cases. However, decisive intervention by the government, led by President William Ruto, helped avert the ban. The government committed to an annual budget of Sh650 million for five years to support the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) in its efforts to eliminate doping in athletics.
Seb Coe has expressed satisfaction with the steps taken so far but emphasized that the battle is far from over. Speaking during a press conference at Riadha House in Nairobi, he noted that while progress is being made, achieving a completely clean sport is unlikely due to individuals who deliberately choose to break the rules.
“I’m not sure I actually like talking about whether we are winning or losing, but what I can tell you is that we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
The World Athletics president acknowledged that eradicating doping is a continuous process, not something that can be solved overnight. He reiterated that while systems have been put in place, there will always be individuals who attempt to bypass regulations and moral standards.
“I would love to tell you as president of World Athletics that one day we shall have a drug-free performance and a drug-free landscape, but I have to be realistic. There are always going to be a few people, regardless of the systems in place, who choose to step beyond the rules of the sport and moral boundaries,” he added.
Despite the ongoing challenges, he praised the role of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in tackling the doping crisis in Kenya. He recognized the AIU’s commitment to ensuring that the fight against doping remains a priority and that significant measures are being enforced to address the issue.
“That is not unique to sports. That is normal in any other activity. However, we now have systems in place and the engagement of the AIU, and I believe we are moving in the right direction. This is not a war that is going to be won overnight, and there are going to be issues along the way,” Coe stated.
Kenya is one of several nations currently classified in Category A, along with Belarus, Bahrain, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ukraine. However, Coe remains hopeful that Kenya has the potential to emerge from this high-risk category, just as Morocco successfully did.
The ongoing efforts by ADAK, the Kenyan government, and international organizations indicate that the country is taking its doping battle seriously. While complete eradication remains an ambitious goal, the steady progress suggests a determined effort to clean up Kenyan athletics and restore the country’s reputation on the global stage.
