Former Gor Mahia F.C. defender, now at Sogndal Fotball, Rooney Onyango has obtained conservatory orders from the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) regarding his provisional suspension by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), pending the hearing and determination of the case.
In a letter dated Tuesday and signed by/for Hon. Bernard Murunga Wafula, the chairperson, the SDT stated in case number SDTADK/E017/2026 — Rooney Onyango vs Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya — that the matter was certified as urgent. The tribunal further issued an interim order staying, suspending and/or lifting the respondent’s provisional suspension of the applicant issued on February 12, 2026, pending the inter-parties hearing of the application.
With the SDT’s interim orders, the Harambee Stars right-back can now resume national team duties if called upon by the Bennie McCarthy-led technical bench.
“The applicant shall be free to participate in national team training, camps, travel, match participation and any related official preparation activities, and for specificity, shall also be eligible for call-ups and participation during the FIFA international window,” read part three of the SDT orders.
The reprieve comes after Onyango was provisionally suspended by ADAK for whereabouts failures on 12th February 2026. The matter was made public on Friday, 27th February 2026, when ADAK published the footballer’s case alongside 26 other athletes, mainly runners.
The Harambee Stars player, currently plying his trade in Norway’s second-tier league with Sogndal, is said to have failed to submit his whereabouts information by the required deadline (filing failure).
Five other Kenya Premier League footballers were also suspended by ADAK a day later over similar issues.
Order number six states that the SDT will constitute a panel to hear the matter, with Eddie Omondi serving as chair, alongside Allan Mola and Hon. Luke Irungu.
Until 10th March 2026, when the matter will be mentioned at 2 p.m. before the tribunal, Onyango can breathe a little easier — though the case could ultimately determine his football future.
