Kenya set to submit hosting bid for one of most prestigious athletics events
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 05.09.25. | 09:00
Kenya previously lost its bid to host the 2025 championships, set for later this month in Tokyo, Japan, largely due to inadequate infrastructure
Kenya has renewed its push to host the World Athletics Championships, with Athletics Kenya (AK) confirming plans to bid for the 2029 or 2031 edition.
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If successful, the country would make history as the first African nation to stage the prestigious global event.
World Athletics officially opened the bidding window in June, inviting interested countries to submit proposals by October 1, 2025. The 2029 competition will follow the 2027 edition, which has already been awarded to Beijing, China.
Kenya previously lost its bid to host the 2025 championships, set for later this month in Tokyo, Japan, largely due to inadequate infrastructure.
However, AK is confident that ongoing upgrades at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo Stadium will help the country meet the required standards this time round.
Speaking during Team Kenya’s flag-off for the Tokyo World Championships at the State House, AK President Jack Tuwei expressed optimism over the new bid while thanking the government for its support.
“Finally, Your Excellency, thank you for allowing us to have a bid to host the World Athletics Championships here in Kenya in 2029 or 2031.
We have already prepared the bid document, and we will present it when we go to Tokyo. I am happy that Kasarani Stadium is being put in the proper perspective so that it can be used to host the event.
We bid last time but lost to Tokyo. In 2027, it’s going to Beijing, but 2029 and 2031 are open, and I believe we will get it,” Tuwei said.
Kenya’s case is strengthened by its reputation as an athletics powerhouse, producing some of the greatest middle- and long-distance runners in history.
However, the country will still need to prove that it can deliver on logistics, security, accommodation, and transport, key requirements for hosting a global competition of this magnitude.
Since the inaugural edition in Malmö, Sweden, in 1976, no African country has hosted the World Athletics Championships.
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