The recently launched Kenya Medical Research Institute, KEMRI centre in Eldoret is expected to evolve into a fully-fledged anti-doping laboratory that will go a long way towards resolving doping challenges staining Kenyan athletes.
The absence of an accredited laboratory capable of supporting comprehensive testing has been a major gap faced by the government in its efforts to address the challenge of doping that has tainted the career of athletes and other sports players.
The Eldoret KEMRI centre marks the beginning of addressing the gap required to deal with the challenges of doping and ensure that the country retains its globally respectable stature of not only producing legendary, but clean athletes.
Health Cabinet Secretary Ms. Susan Nakhumicha who officiated during the launch of the centre said the government recognizes the urgency of the doping crisis and is committed to taking firm measures to protect and uphold the integrity of athletics in the country.
“The doping crisis has been elevated to a matter of top strategic national interest, the doping menace underscores the urgency for all stakeholders to collaborate in mitigating the crisis given the pivotal role athletics plays in hoisting the national flag and boosting prestige of our country,” said the CS during the launch.
The doping menace according to CS Nakhumicha has placed Kenya in Category A under World Athletics anti-doping rules where athletes must undergo at least three no-notice tests.
“Approximately 55 Kenyan athletes are currently serving varying bans, and an additional eight are undergoing provisional suspension, according to the 2022 report by Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU. These figures are disconcerting, hence the urgent need for collaboration by all stakeholders to mitigate the crisis,” explained the CS.
“By inaugurating this lab, we are creating an accredited local solution whose turnaround time for doping tests will be immediate, the landmark facility shall not only be an anti-doping hub within our country but across the Eastern African region,” added the CS.
She also hoped that KEMRI Eldoret research centre would encompass a holistic approach to sports including health and medical research components that will focus on Nutrition, social and mental research, clinical research aspects as well as providing laboratory services.
This is the 15th KEMRI research centre in the country and will engage in a spectrum of research studies including sports medicine and research related to the well-being of athletes, injuries, mental health, nutrition, and anti-doping challenges according to CS Nakhumicha.
By Kiptanui Cherono
