Rooney Onyango Cleared to Play as Tribunal Court Suspends Provisional Ban

The Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) of Kenya has temporarily lifted the provisional suspension imposed on Kenyan footballer Rooney Onyango by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).

The ruling now allows Onyango to participate in club and national team matches worldwide while the matter is pending a full hearing.

On February 28, 2026, the Harambee Stars defender was provisionally suspended from all football activities by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) for missing three cumulative tests, including two whereabouts failures in 2025.

ADAK has also suspended other players, including:

• Benson Omala – Nairobi United
• John Njuguna – Nairobi United
• Charles Ouma – Kenya Police FC
• Bonphas Munyasa – KCB
• Johanna Mwita – former Bandari FC striker

Also Read: Kenyan Athlete Benard Kibet Koech Banned Over Doping Allegations

Tribunal Court on Rooney Onyango Doping Case

In its official order, Case No. SDTADK/E017/2026, the tribunal certified Onyango’s application as urgent, citing the need for expedited consideration of the ban. 

“This matter is certified as urgent…The Tribunal issues an interim order staying, suspending, and/or lifting the Respondent’s provisional suspension of the Applicant issued on 12th February 2026 pending the inter partes hearing of this Application.”

According to the tribunal, Onyango can engage in national team training, camps, travel, and match participation. It explicitly confirms his eligibility for call-ups and participation during the FIFA international window

The applicant is free to participate in national team training, camps, travel, and match participation, as well as any related official preparation activities, and, for specificity, shall also be eligible for call-ups and participation during the FIFA international window.

Onyango is now required to serve the notice of motion and all accompanying documents, including the tribunal order, to ADAK by 4.00 p.m. on March 3, 2026. ADAK is then expected to file and serve its response by 4.00 p.m. on March 6, 2026.

The matter will next be mentioned on March 10, 2026, at 2.00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams before a panel comprising Eddie Omondi, the Panel Chair, Allan Mola, and Luke Irungu.

Also Read: Kenya to Spend Sh3.7 Billion in Fight Against Doping

Rooney Onyango Football Career

Rooney Onyango is a Kenyan footballer who plays for Kenya’s national team, Harambee Stars, in the right back position.

He was born on August 8, 2001, in Thika, Kenya.

Onyango’s career has seen a rapid ascent from the Kenyan lower tiers to European professional football

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