Kenya submits ambitious bid to host one of the biggest athletics events
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 20.09.25. | 20:31
However, Kenya is facing competition from fellow African athletics giants Ethiopia, Italy, Germany, India, South Korea and the United Kingdom (UK)
After decades of dominating the track away from home, Kenya has launched an ambitious bid to host the 2029/2031 World Athletics Championships.
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Alongside the Summer Olympic Games, the World Athletics Championships is one of the two major athletic events in the world, representing the highest level of senior international outdoor athletic competitions for both track and field.
Kenya has now submitted the bid to host the championship, looking to become the first African country to host the sporting event, at least according to a communication by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.
“Kenya has formally submitted its bid to host the World Athletics Championships 2029 and 2031 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi, a bold historic step that would bring the global athletics showpiece to African soil for the very first time,” reads a statement from Juney Karisa, the Ministry's head of Public Communication.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Sports, Salim Mvurya, who is currently in Tokyo, Japan, for the 2025 edition of the championship, confirmed that the country has already commenced pre-qualification procedures, noting that Kenya's record in athletics gives it an advantage.
"Kenya's story in athletics is unrivalled on the African continent. Our athletes have flown the national flag with pride and broken records across generations. Hosting the Championships would be a natural progression of that legacy,” said Mvurya.
However, Kenya is facing competition from fellow African athletics giants Ethiopia, Italy, Germany, India, South Korea and the United Kingdom (UK).
Speaking in Tokyo during discussions with World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe, the CS said that the bid is part of Kenya’s vision to take up a higher place in the sporting industry.
"This bid is supported at the highest level of government, reflecting H.E. President William Ruto's vision to position Kenya as a global sporting powerhouse. This is a national project, and our commitment is absolute,” stated Mvurya.
While Kenya initially lost bids to host such events, Mvurya noted that the fresh bid provides a perfect opportunity for Africa to host a global athletics event of such magnitude.
"Africa deserves its moment. Kenya came close before, but today we present an even stronger case built on world-class facilities, government commitment, and our unmatched athletics tradition."
Kenya is banking on the success of hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), all of which have necessitated the upgrading of sporting infrastructure that could be used in the World Athletics Championship.
"The refurbishments of Kasarani and Nyayo stadia are not just about facilities; they are about creating a modern sports ecosystem.
From world-class running tracks to upgraded training centres, Kenya is positioning itself to deliver venues that meet and even exceed global standards," CS Mvurya said.
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