House team wants committee formed to probe doping

Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chairman Samuel Chepkong’a is proposing the creation of a special committee to inquire into the alleged increase in doping amongst Kenyan athletes.

The Ainabkoi MP said his proposal is spurred by concerns that Kenyan sportsmen and women face discriminatory treatment despite the country’s compliance with the world anti-doping code.

Athletes taking part at the National Olympics Trials were set to undergo doping tests overseen by officials from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Chepkong’a also expressed concern that so far, there is no empirical evidence proving widespread doping or a State-sponsored cover-up warranting the onslaught against Kenyan athletes.

If his Motion is approved, the select committee would inquire into the allegations and the likely causes of the suspicion of doping by Kenyan athletes, the extent and effects of the doping and measures to end the problem. It would report back to the House in 90 days.

Last year, a group of athletes held meetings with MPs led by Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and his Endebess counterpart, Dr Richard Pukose ,but nothing formal came out of it.

Chepkong’a’s proposed committee would be the first official bid by Parliament to inquire into the allegations.

It would interview the athletes themselves, their agents, the medical professionals who work with them as well as officials of the sports associations.

Kenyan has already passed the Anti-Doping Act, which was returned to Parliament after Wada pointed out issues with the law,  and the law was amended and assented to again this week.