Anti-Doping Bill sent to the Senate

Senators will hold a special sitting Thursday morning to pass the Anti-Doping Bill after the National Assembly adopted it.

The proposed law has been fast-tracked in the Senate following appeals by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who wants to assent to the Bill to avoid Kenya being locked out of the Rio Olympics in August.

The Bill must be passed by both Houses before it can be signed into law.

It was only brought for debate on Wednesday afternoon and senators resolved to hold the sitting to pass it. The senators began debating last evening.
Normally, the Senate does not sit on Thursday morning, which is set aside it for committees to hold their sessions.

Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki convinced the House to hold the extra session, saying the country had few days before the May 2 deadline to enact the law.

He told the House that the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) had given the country until next week to put in place the legal framework for anti-doping measures.

The agency has warned that Kenya would be barred from the Rio games if the doping law is not in place before end of this month.

“The country has been given a deadline to pass this Bill. The country negotiated for an extension but we were told the new deadline would be the last one. There will be no extension whatsoever that is why it is important to pass this piece of legislation,” said Prof Kindiki.

PASS THE BILL

The senators said they would make sure the proposed law is passed on time before the deadline given by the global anti-doping agency.

“This is about the people who make this country proud. I am ready to come and pass this law. We have been called to debate lesser important issues before. We should come and pass this one. It would not be a proper Olympics without the presence of Kenya,” said Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

Once the Bill is passed in the Senate, it will be returned to the National Assembly, which being the originator of the proposed law, would present it to the President for assent.

At the same time, Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o said the reward given the Kenya Sevens team, which won the Singapore Sevens at the weekend is a shame. He said the $1,000 dollars (Sh101,000) promised by Kenya Airways is inadequate.

He proposed the setting up of a National Sports Reward Protocol that would look at how excelling teams are honoured.

“Having won a major title at global tournament and then you are rewarded with $1000 and a promise to destination of choice by Kenya Airways is a shame. This is not enough for a team that has done this country proud,” he said.