REMARKS BY AMB. (DR) AMINA C. MOHAMED, EGH, CAV, CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF SPORTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE DURING THE PARTNERSHIP MEETING BETWEEN WADA, ADNO AND ADAK HELD ON 26 TH AND 27 TH NOVEMBER 2019 AT THE OLE SERENI HOTEL, NAIROBI, KENYA

Ms Leva Lukosiute-Stanikuniene – Senior Manager, Program Development and NADO/RADO
Relations
Mr. Rodney Swigelaar – Director, WADA Africa Office
Mr Anders Solheim – Chief Executive Officer, ADNO
Mr. Rune Andersen – Special Advisor, International Relations, ADNO
Ms. Anne Cappelen – Director, Quality Management and International Relations, ADNO
Ms. Christine Mugera – Executive Manager, Africa Zone V RADO
Amb. Daniel O. Makdwallo – Chairperson, ADAK
Mr. Japhter K. Rugut – Chief Executive Officer, ADAK

Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to join you this morning to witness the culmination of a very fruitful partnership between, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Anti-Doping Norway (ADNO) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
This partnership came at an opportune time when Kenya did not have a National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) to deal with the doping issues that confronted us at that time. It will be recalled that anti-doping activities in the country were being carried out by the Africa Zone V RADO in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK). Although these institutions covered a glaring gap that required a fast and conclusive solution, they had limitations of staffing and resources to adequately address the live issues of the day.
Looking back, we appreciate WADA’s unwavering support in conceptualising and establishing a NADO, enhancing testing capacity and standards and walking the WADA Foundation Board Membership journey with Kenya. Although we have achieved admirable milestones over the years, our focus is to continue improving our systems to ensure that Kenya becomes a doping-free country.
This partnership has enhanced ADAK’s competencies in doping control, anti-doping education, results in management and, intelligence and investigation. As a result, Kenya now has a robust anti-doping program in place with the right structures and well-trained personnel. As a sporting nation, the government’s aspiration is to grow sporting talent right from the pre-primary level to elite status while inculcating the ethos of fair play and clean sport.
We are aware that though significant gains have been realised, challenges still remain. For this reason, the government will scale up financing for anti-doping education at all sporting levels, support ADAK’s efforts in sample collection in and out of competition, champion review of the sports legislation to conform with the new WADA Code, Education and Testing standards to guarantee that Kenya leads the world in anti-doping regime compliance.
As we come to the end of this incredible cooperation, I invite you (our esteemed partners, WADA and ADNO) to continue working with ADAK beyond the stipulated Agreement period to further nurture and deepen proficiency in more advanced anti-doping mechanisms and technologies. Kenya is very keen to establish a full-fledged WADA accredited laboratory to serve this region and as we embark on the nuggets to realise this monumental aspiration, we will look to you from time to time for guidance and best practice.

In the words of John F. Kennedy, “Partnership is not a posture but a process – a continuous process that grows stronger each year as we devote ourselves to common tasks.”

Thank you.