By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The Anti-doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) is in a financial crisis occasioned by sharp budget cuts.
ADAK CEO Sarah Shibutse told the Sports and Culture Committee that the Agency is in the red due to huge budget cuts by the National Treasury.
“Operations by ADAK have been crippled due to under funding by the National Treasury,” Shibutse told a Committee meeting chaired by Naomi Waqo (Marsabit County MP.)
She added: “The landlord has given us a notice because we have not paid rent since July. Internet has been disconnected. We are in a dire situation.”
She further told the Committee that the Agency has been struggling to pay staff their salaries noting that the situation was getting out of hand.
As she pleaded for the Committee’s intervention, the CEO explained that the Agency’s funding through the National Treasury has been reduced to only Kshs.20 Million.
“The net effect of this budget cut is to cripple the Agency,” she added explained.
She expressed fear that failure by the Agency to effectively discharge it’s mandate will attract the wrath of the World Anti Doping Authority (WADA) which will declare Kenya non-compliant.
“The ramification of a declaration of non-compliance by WADA means that no Kenyan athlete will be eligible to participate in any international competitions”. said Shibutse.
She added that Kenya will not be allowed to host any international events including but not limited to CHAN and AFCON.
She added that the Agency is mandated to conduct doping tests of Kenyan rugby and volleyball players set to take part in upcoming international competitions but lack of funds will hinder the process.
“We don’t have money to test national football team players who will also take part in CHAN,” she said.
The CEO told the Committee that the Agency required more than Kshs 50,000 to conduct a doping test of a single player.
Shibutse noted that inability by the Agency to operate smoothly could easily make the country lose the gains it had made so far in dealing with vice.
“Taking cognizance of the potential pitfalls that may occur, the Agency is therefore pleading with the Committee to intervene and urge the National Treasury to reconsider this funding gap and reinstate the budget for the Agency in order to protect Kenyan athletes and other players and the country at large from facing sanctions,” She added.
The Committee noted with concern the financial woes the Agency has been subjected to and assured them that the matter will be addressed accordingly.
The Committee said it will seek mechanisms of having the Sports Fund disburse money to the Agency to give them a lifeline.
“The Committee has noted with concern grave matters raised by the CEO. We will seek ways of having the Sports Fund support the Agency financially,” said Hon. Waqo.
Charles Nguna said it was wrong for the National Treasury to starve the agency off cash considering that their role was critical.
“It is unjustified to deny ADAK funds when the government knows very well they play a key role in the fight against doping,” said the Mwingi West MP.
Robert Basil (Yatta) said ADAK is required to be both institutionally and operationally independent.
“Denying the Agency funds compromised their independence,” he added.
