Sports CS Salim Mvurya leads officials inspecting construction progress at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret on Friday.
Sports CS Salim Mvurya says proposals before Parliament seek stronger governance, greater investment and tougher action against doping.
Sports Act amendments before Parliament will help tackle doping, governance failures and funding challenges, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has said.
Speaking in Eldoret, Mvurya said the proposals would align Kenya’s sports laws with international practices. They also seek to address emerging challenges across the sector.
Kenya is reviewing both its sports and anti-doping laws as part of the reform effort. A task force established in 2024 examined existing policies and legislation, and its report guided the review.
Sports Act amendments address governance concerns
Mvurya said the government expects the proposed changes to deliver reforms if Parliament passes them. During consultations, stakeholders sought tougher measures against cheating, particularly doping, alongside stronger oversight of sports federations.
They also called for stricter rules to address federation officials who remain in office beyond their term limits. Those demands reflected concerns about governance within some sporting bodies.
Meanwhile, stakeholders identified gaps in how Kenya measures progress in sports development. They said the country lacked clear indicators for tracking that progress.
Consultations also highlighted confusion over the responsibilities of national and county governments in some sports functions. Stakeholders wanted clearer roles as part of the wider review.
Calls for investment and commercial opportunities
Funding formed another major part of the submissions, with stakeholders seeking more support for sports tourism. They also asked for a clear framework to help commercialise sport.
In addition, participants called for incentives to attract corporate investment in competitions and other sporting activities. They raised concerns about weak links between government and corporate funding efforts.
Stakeholders further said cartel influence continued to hamper the sector. Their proposals therefore covered both access to investment and the governance conditions surrounding sports funding.
Mvurya links reforms to stadium investment
Alongside the legal review, Mvurya said the government was constructing 33 stadiums to improve sporting infrastructure. He described the programme as an unprecedented investment in facilities.
He compared its scale with the development of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, for the 1987 African Games. Mvurya cited Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium, Kasarani, Kipchoge Keino Stadium and Kapsabet among facilities intended to serve athletes.
He said facilities nearing completion would offer better conditions for training and competition. The minister also expressed hope that improved venues would inspire young talent across the counties.
During his Eldoret visit on Friday, Mvurya led officials in inspecting construction progress at Kipchoge Keino Stadium.
Anti-doping efforts remain a priority
Mvurya also linked infrastructure investment to what he described as Kenya’s preparations to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. He said airport expansion, including work at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, would help ease travel.
He attributed the hosting bid’s success to Kenya’s distance-running history and the legacy of its athletics greats. He also expressed optimism about Kenyan athletes winning more medals at home.
However, Mvurya said Kenya must confront the doping problem that has damaged its sporting reputation. He pledged cooperation with agencies to combat doping and ensure athletes compete with integrity.
