The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has provisionally suspended six players over whereabouts failures, effectively barring them from all football-related activities pending the conclusion of further proceedings.
Among those affected are Harambee Stars duo Benson Omala and Rooney Onyango. The two were key figures during their time at record league champions Gor Mahia before moving on to different chapters in their careers.
Onyango, who has regularly featured at right back for the national team, currently turns out for Norwegian second-tier side Sogndal Fotball.
His suspension means he is temporarily barred from participating in matches, training, or any official football activity until the matter is determined.
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Omalla, Onyango among 6 footballers provisionally suspended over doping infringement
Omala, now with Nairobi United and even scored in their last two consecutive SportPesa League matches, is also among the players listed in ADAK’s communication.
The other footballers affected are John Njuguna of Nairobi United, Charles Ouma, a defender from SportPesa League defending champions Kenya Police FC, Bonphas Munyasa of KCB FC and former Bandari FC striker Johanna Mwita.
In its statement, ADAK said, “The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has provisionally suspended several Kenyan footballers for whereabouts failures. The players affected are Benson Omala and John Njuguna of Nairobi United, Charles Ouma of Kenya Police FC, Bonphas Munyasa of KCB, and former Bandari FC striker Johanna Mwita.
These players are expected to stop competing immediately. If they continue to play before a final ruling, any sanctions including potential bans will be applied from the date the decision is issued, with their suspension officially starting at that time.”
ADAK further confirmed that Rooney Onyango has also been provisionally suspended over a whereabouts failure.
Under anti-doping rules, a whereabouts failure occurs when an athlete records three missed tests and/or filing failures within a 12-month period.
Athletes in the registered testing pool are required to submit quarterly whereabouts details through the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS).
A filing failure can arise from not submitting the required information by the stipulated deadlines March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 or from providing incomplete or inaccurate details.
A missed test happens when an athlete is unavailable during a designated 60-minute testing window or provides incorrect location information.
Accumulating three such violations within a year constitutes an anti-doping rule breach and may result in sanctions, including suspension from competition.
The provisional suspensions now place the spotlight on both the affected players and their respective clubs. With proceedings still ongoing, the football community will be keenly watching how the matter unfolds and what sanctions, if any, will ultimately be imposed.