The World Anti-Doping Agency says Kenya is being investigated for breaching the global anti-doping code.
WADA says an independent compliance review committee will now evaluate Kenya and make a recommendation to WADA's board on whether the country should be declared non-compliant with the code.
WADA says it asked Kenyan authorities to show commitment to setting up a national anti-doping agency, but ''we have not yet received the details nor the assurances we need from Kenya and, therefore, this is now a matter for our independent compliance process.''
Although being declared non-compliant is unlikely to bring sanctions for athletes, it would be another embarrassment for the East African country, which is under severe scrutiny for its doping record.
WADA expects a decision on Kenya's status in a few weeks.
