Bach to lobby for ADAK budget increase during Pres. Ruto meeting

Bach spoke Thursday during a key session between National Sport Federations and IOC delegates in Nairobi as he kicked off his three-day tour in the country.

“My talking points tomorrow with President Ruto will be to request for an increase of the financial contribution to the anti-doping fight because there is interest in Kenya. We would like to celebrate the achievements of Kenyan athletes in any sport without having to make reference towards outstanding issues of doping and the cases that are always upcoming.”

Bach, alongside the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) boss Paul Tegrat and Association of African National Committee president Mustapha Berraf, expressed the desire to persuade President Ruto to reconsider the budget and help the agency get back on its feet.

His sentiments came in the backdrop of ADAK’s cry of reduced funding by the treasury this financial year, and Athletics Kenya officials have warned if the agency’s budget is not reinstated Kenya risks being non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.

Kenya is currently listed in Category ‘A’ which means it is among seven countries deemed to have the highest doping risk and considered a threat to the overall integrity of athletics.

Bach warned reluctance in the fight against the vice risks tainting Kenya's image as a global athletics power house.

“We all would like, all over the world, to celebrate the achievements of Kenyan athletes in any sport, without having to make a reference to the outstanding issues of doping and the ever-upcoming cases.”

Bach also visited Senegal last week as part of the ongoing preparations for the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

Additionally, following the country’s stellar performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the visit signals a deeper partnership between Kenya and the Olympic movement, to bolster athlete development and protect sporting integrity.