Kenya Police FC's Charles Ouma (left) and Nairobi United striker Benson Omala during past Kenyan Premier League matches
Do Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) sanctions apply only to athletics, or do they also apply to other sporting disciplines?
It seems not. Seven football players are among 27 sportsmen and women from several disciplines who were provisionally suspended by Adak between August, 2025 and February this year for doping offences.
However, investigations by Nation Sports reveal that some of the affected football players continue to feature for their clubs in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League despite the suspensions.
All seven players were sanctioned by Adak for whereabouts failures that attract a two-year suspension by either Adak or the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
Kenya Police FC midfielder Charles Ouma, Wilson Kamau Ndungu (formerly with Murang’a Seal), John Collins Njuguna, and Benson Ochieng Oluoch, all of Nairobi United, were suspended on December 23, 2025, for whereabouts failures.
Kenya defender Rooney Onyango during their international friendly match against Russia at Titanic Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey on October 16, 2023.
Also suspended was Kenya international defender Rooney Onyango, who currently plays for Norwegian club Sogndal and was flagged for whereabouts failure on February 12, this year.
Ouma, Njuguna and Ochieng have featured in the Premier League this year.
Onyango has since sought legal redress at the Sports Dispute Tribunal, which has cleared him to resume all football-related activities pending the determination of the case.
The tribunal ruled on March 3, 2026: “This matter is certified as urgent. The Tribunal issues an interim order staying, suspending and/or lifting the respondent’s provisional suspension of the applicant issued on 12th February 2026 pending the inter partes hearing of this Application.
“The applicant shall be free to participate in national team training camps, travel and match participation, and any related official preparation activities and, for specificity, shall also be eligible for call-ups and participation during the Fifa international window.”
The panel set to hear the matter comprises Eddie Omondi (chairman), Allan Mola and Luke Irungu. The case is scheduled for mention next Tuesday.
FKF, on Tuesday, said they were not aware of any Adak sanctions on Kenyan players.
“We haven’t received the letter suspending the players, nor have I seen it anywhere, so I can’t confirm or deny,” said FKF Head of Communication Jeff Kinyanyui.
According to Nairobi United coach Godfrey “Solo” Oduor, their player Benson Ochieng’ Omala will feature in Wednesday’s clash against KCB.
“None of our players have received suspension from Adak since we don’t even know the player they are speaking about. Our player is Benson Ochieng’ Omala and not Benson Ochieng Oluoch they are speaking about,” said Oduor.
“We have asked Omala himself, and he has categorically said he has not received any communication from Adak. In fact, he has said, Adak Doping Control Officers were only following him when he was playing outside the country,” he added.
The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) acting CEO Peninah Wahome at her offices in Nairobi on June 3, 2025.
Adak, acting Chief Executive Officer, Peninah Wahome said that due procedure is followed in informing the athletes in case of any doping rules violation, warning that the athletes will complicate the situation if the suspension is violated.
She promised to take up the case with intelligence and legal officers.
Whereabouts failure violation occurs when an athlete fails to provide accurate location information or misses three tests within 12 months.
A temporary ban is imposed while awaiting a final hearing, which is mandatory for non-specified substances or following multiple failures.
However, the ban can be reduced if the affected athlete agrees to cooperate, or the case can be dismissed if genuine reasons are given.
However, if the athlete makes the case difficult or violates the suspension, the offence can attract a lengthy ban of up to four years.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
