The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is extremely troubled by media reports alleging that Kenyan athletes were bribed in return for a reduction of their doping suspensions.

The athletes, Joy Sakari and Francisca Koki Manunga, were both suspended for anti-doping rule violations for a period of four years on 27 November 2015. The Associated Press news report highlights the claims of the two athletes that they were each asked for – and refused – a 2.5 million Kenyan shillings bribe [USD24,000] by an Athletics Kenya (AK) official in return for a reduction of their suspensions.

“WADA is most disturbed by these reports regarding extortion and bribery at the national level of sport, eerily similar sounding to what we learnt through the recent Independent Commission investigation into widespread doping in International Athletics,” said WADA Director General, David Howman.

“WADA will of course require more detailed information on these allegations from those concerned so that we can determine if this is a matter for us to investigate or for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Ethics Commission as part of its own inquiries.

“The allegations we have heard this week also illustrate the importance of having a robust, independent National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) fully functional in Kenya at the earliest opportunity. This is a vital step for a country of Kenya’s sporting stature to take if it is to effectively protect clean athletes,” added Howman.

• This media statement was originally published on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s internet site on 10 February 2016. To access the original, please click here.