Kenya is preparing for a major test of its sporting infrastructure after Nairobi was selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, the first time the global competition will be staged in Africa.
World Athletics announced the decision on September 15, 2026, following a council meeting in Budapest, Hungary. Nairobi beat competing bids to secure the event, which will bring leading athletes from around the world to Kenya.
The award adds to Kenya’s growing role in international sport, built on decades of success in distance running and an expanding calendar of major competitions.
Kenyan athletes have helped establish the country’s global reputation, with Faith Kipyegon setting world records on the track and Eliud Kipchoge becoming one of the most recognised marathon runners in history.
Kenya also ranks second on the all-time World Athletics Championships medal table, behind the United States. Its record at the competition has helped make the country one of the sport’s most successful nations.
However, hosting the 2029 championships will require more than the country’s reputation on the track. Preparations include improvements to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which is also expected to host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has said government commitments on funding, anti-doping measures and stadium preparations will be important to delivering the championships successfully.
The event follows Kenya’s experience co-hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2025 alongside Tanzania and Uganda. The three countries are now preparing for AFCON 2027, which will bring another major international football tournament to East Africa.
Hosting these competitions offers opportunities to attract visitors, support local businesses and create employment around events. CHAN also provided a platform for home-based footballers to showcase their abilities to wider audiences.
Beyond athletics and football, Kenya has a presence in volleyball, tennis and motorsport. The national women’s volleyball team continues to represent the country internationally, while tennis player Angela Okutoyi has helped increase attention on Kenyan talent in a sport with a relatively smaller local profile. The Safari Rally remains another established fixture on the international sporting calendar.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Limited funding, concerns about governance in sports federations and doping cases in athletics continue to raise questions about the sustainability of Kenya’s sporting success.
The government and sports organisations face pressure to ensure that investments in stadiums and international events translate into better training opportunities, stronger grassroots programmes and transparent management of sports resources.
With AFCON 2027 approaching and the World Athletics Championships scheduled for 2029, Kenya has an opportunity to build on its reputation as an athletics nation while demonstrating that it can consistently deliver major international sporting events.
The long-term measure of success will be whether these milestones strengthen local sports, expand opportunities for young athletes and leave facilities and programmes that continue benefiting Kenyans after the competitions end.
