Senate okays Anti-Doping Bill

Senators on Thursday unanimously passed the Anti-Doping Bill, paving the way for President Uhuru Kenyatta to sign it into law before the May 2 deadline imposed on Kenya by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

The lawmakers rushed the Bill through the legislative process Thursday morning after it was forwarded to the House by the National Assembly. Thirty members voted in support. None opposed. The two Houses had to concur before it was taken to the President for assent in order to beat the deadline given by the Wada. The National Assembly passed it on Tuesday.

NO CHANGES

No changes were made to the Bill that seeks to establish the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya after Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki told House members that amendments would only be accepted after it becomes an Act of Parliament.

As per the Bill, the local anti-doping agency will be required to conduct various tests on sports personalities to ensure clean and fair competition.

Section 7 enumerates various functions of the agency which includes implementing “anti-doping activities in the country including testing of collected samples in all sports, sport federations and sport organisations.” Senators said they had identified various loopholes in the proposed law but agreed to pass it, promising to amend it later.

“I would like to thank members for the sacrifice they made in order to pass this Bill. I would also like to thank the House leadership from the Government side for ensuring this Bill came to the House. Some wanted to rush through the other House without involving the Senate,” said Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula. 

Those who spoke said they had boycotted the on-going devolution conference in Meru in order to pass the Bill.

“Most of us decided not to go to Meru in order to perform a better legislative function. I would like to thank the members who have come in numbers to ensure this Bill sails through,” said Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen. 

They said Kenya’s participation in the Rio Olympics would not be in doubt anymore after the hasty passage of the Bill.

“We are the only African country that has been consistent in global athletic competitions. The passage of this Bill shows this House is keen to ensure that our athletes will continue representing this country in the best way they have always done,” said Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar.

Failure to have the law in place before the date will see Kenya banned from the upcoming Rio games.