Ronney Onyango Suspension Temporarily Lifted in Major Boost for Harambee Stars

Harambee Stars defender Ronney Onyango has received a significant legal reprieve after the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) stepped in to address his case.

On March 3, 2026, the Sports Dispute Tribunal issued an interim order that effectively freezes the provisional suspension previously slapped on Ronney Onyango by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).

Presided over by Justice Bernard Murunga, the tribunal certified the matter as urgent, recognising the significant impact a suspension has on a professional athlete’s career and livelihood.

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The stay of execution means that the provisional ban, which had been in place since February 12, is lifted until a full inter-partes hearing can be conducted.

This legal pause button allows the defender to resume his professional duties immediately while the specifics of the case are argued in court.

The most immediate consequence of this ruling is Ronney Onyango’s return to the pitch. The SDT was explicit in its directive that the 24-year-old right-back is now free to participate in all footballing activities globally.

This includes national team duties, noting that he is eligible for call-ups, training camps, and match participation for the Harambee Stars.

Ronney Onyango can also return to action for his Norwegian side, Sogndal Fotball. Crucially, the order specifies his eligibility for the upcoming FIFA international window, providing a massive boost to Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy ahead of the 2026 FIFA Series.

The initial suspension by ADAK was rooted in whereabouts failures, a technical violation under anti-doping regulations.

In the world of elite sports, athletes in a registered testing pool must provide accurate details of their daily locations to allow for unannounced, out-of-competition testing.

A suspension typically follows three such failures (either missed tests or filing errors) within a 12-month window.

Ronney Onyango’s legal team, however, moved to challenge the provisional nature of this ban, leading to the current stay. While the interim order is a victory for the player, it does not yet mean the case is closed; it simply ensures that his right to work is protected while the due process unfolds.

The football world now looks toward March 10, 2026, when the matter is scheduled for mention. This session will likely set the timeline for the full hearing, where ADAK and Ronney Onyango’s legal representatives will present their detailed arguments.