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Kenya, renowned for its distance runners, has faced frequent
allegations of doping with about 40 cases reported in the past
four years.
The International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday that
competitors from Russia and Kenya, given their countries' recent
history of doping, would have to be screened individually before
being allowed to participate in the Rio Games.
"We look forward to WADA's review and declaration of Kenya as
compliant with existing rules," President Uhuru Kenyatta said
after signing the amendments into law. "Kenya has always
supported clean sport and will continue to do so."
WADA declared Kenya non-compliant with its anti-doping code,
prompting the country to introduce new legislation.
After WADA still found flaws, such as the presence of government
officials in Kenya's anti-doping agency, Kenya began working on
amendments.
Kenyan officials said last week that WADA had approved the
amendments to prevent doping by Kenyan athletics.
"The president instructed me to ensure all athletes going to the
Games are screened and the results reported to him personally,"
National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Chairman Kipchoge
Keino told Reuters after the signing.
"We must fight doping and all forms of cheating in sports and
Olympic movement," said Keino.
Among the high-profile Kenyan athletes who have failed doping
tests was former three-time Boston City and Chicago marathon
winner, Rita Jeptoo.
(Additional reporting by George Obulutsa; Writing by Edmund
Blair; Editing by Dominic Evans/Sudipto Ganguly)
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