WADA chief Banka lands in Nairobi, set to meet President Ruto

Bańka was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, accompanied by senior officials from the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), led by its Board Chairman, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Aphaxard Muthuri.

Rodney Swigelaar, Director of WADA’s Africa Office, was also present to welcome the WADA president.

During his visit, Bańka, 42, is expected to meet President William Ruto and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, as well as other key stakeholders in Kenya’s sporting sector.

“Thank you so much for the warm welcome to Nairobi, the home of champions and a beautiful country. It is my first time in Kenya as WADA president. Hopefully, we will have fruitful discussions over the next two days, particularly on how to strengthen Kenya’s anti-doping policy and ensure athletes compete on a level playing field with strong support from the government and ADAK,” Bańka said after being welcomed with a traditional song-and-dance performance at JKIA.

“I did not expect such a warm ceremony after a long flight. You have positively surprised me and even shocked me. It is really nice, and I am very happy to be in this beautiful country,” he added.

The Polish former athlete said he would have more to share after meeting President Ruto, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, the National Olympic Committee and, most importantly, athletes.

Bańka is the fourth president of WADA.

PS Mwangi welcomed Bańka, saying his visit comes at a critical time as Kenya’s sporting profile continues to grow despite the doping challenges the country has faced.

“Kenya’s place among the world’s leading sporting nations carries with it an equally important responsibility: to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness and clean competition,” Mwangi said.

“I had the honour of welcoming to Kenya the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Mr. Witold Bańka, together with his delegation, for a three-day high-level official visit and engagements with the Government and key stakeholders in our sporting ecosystem.

“Mr. Bańka’s first official visit to Kenya is a significant moment and a strong affirmation of our country’s growing influence in international sport, as well as the importance of Kenya’s leadership in advancing the global clean-sport agenda.”

Mwangi said Kenya regards clean sport as more than a regulatory requirement.

“For Kenya, clean sport is not merely a regulatory obligation. It is a national commitment to protecting our athletes, preserving the honour of competition and ensuring that every victory achieved under our flag reflects discipline, fairness and merit,” he said.

He added that Kenya looks forward to substantive engagements with Bańka to strengthen its partnership with WADA, reinforce the country’s anti-doping framework and cement its position as a credible and dependable global partner in advancing clean sport.

Bańka’s visit comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to strengthen anti-doping measures and protect the integrity of sport, particularly athletics, where the country has established itself as a global powerhouse.

ADAK is responsible for coordinating anti-doping activities in Kenya, including athlete education, testing and efforts to prevent the use of prohibited substances in sport.

WADA is the international body responsible for promoting and coordinating the global fight against doping in sport. It works with national anti-doping organisations and sporting authorities worldwide to ensure compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.