Members of Parliament (MPs) have been informed that the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) is facing a financial crisis.
According to ADAK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sarah Shibutse, the current situation has been caused by sharp budget cuts from the National Treasury.
ADAK’s operations have been crippled due to underfunding by the National Treasury,” Shibutse told members of the Sports and Culture Committee, chaired by Marsabit Woman Representative, Naomi Waqo.
Alarmingly, the Agency has not paid rent since July.
“The landlord has given us a notice because we have not paid rent since July. The internet has been disconnected. We are in a dire situation,” explained the CEO.
She added that the Agency has been struggling to pay staff salaries, noting that the situation is getting out of hand, with the National Treasury having reduced its budget allocation to KSh 20 million per year.
“The net effect of this budget cut is to cripple the Agency,” she said.
The CEO warned that operations at the Agency may soon grind to a halt, which could attract sanctions from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that may declare Kenya non-compliant.
The ramifications of a declaration of non-compliance by WADA means that no Kenyan athlete will be eligible to participate in any international competitions,” she emphasized.
Shibutse pleaded with the Committee to intervene and urge the National Treasury to reconsider the funding gap and reinstate ADAK’s budget to protect Kenyan athletes, stakeholders, and the country from facing sanctions.
Yatta MP Robert Basil noted that ADAK is required to be both institutionally and operationally independent.
“Denying the Agency funds compromises their independence,” he said.
Members of the Committee expressed concern over ADAK’s financial difficulties and assured the CEO that the matter will be addressed.
