WADA president Witold Bańka arrives in Kenya for anti-doping talks

Witold Bańka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), arrived in Nairobi on Sunday 4 October 2026 for his first visit to Kenya as president. Athletics Kenya said on 4 October that the visit is meant to strengthen Kenya's anti-doping structures and clean-sport work.

According to Athletics Kenya, Bańka is due to meet President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya, officials of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and Kenyan athletes. Athletics Kenya said he is due to address the media on Tuesday afternoon, 6 October.

Bańka landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Sunday morning, KBC reported on 4 October. Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi received him, together with officials of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). Citizen Digital, also on 4 October, named Rodney Swigelaar, director of WADA's Africa office, among those who received him.

Athletics Kenya quoted Bańka as saying: "We want to make sure athletes are competing on a level playing field with strong support from the government and ADAK." Citizen Digital quoted him on arrival: "Thank you so much for the warm welcome to Nairobi, the home of champions and a beautiful country."

KBC reported on 4 October that Bańka is also expected to assess Kenya's progress against doping, especially in athletics. KBC said Kenya "remains in Category A in the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of nations closely monitored for high cases of using enhanced substances in athletics".

On 5 March 2026, The Star reported that Kenya had been removed from WADA's compliance watchlist. Mvurya said the decision followed a recommendation by WADA's Compliance Review Committee. According to the committee, ADAK had "fully aligned with the World Anti-Doping Code and the applicable International Standards". The paper said the decision ended a corrective process that followed an audit in May 2024. Mvurya said the government "welcomes and notes with great satisfaction the decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to formally close the compliance procedure concerning Kenya".

Mozzart Sport reported on 4 October that Kenya will host the World Athletics Championships in 2029, the first time the event will be held in Africa. Citizen Digital gave Bańka's age as 42 and described him as WADA's fourth president.