The Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports Elijah Mwangi says Kenya is more than ready to host the 2029 or 2031 World Athletics Championships.
Should Kenya get the nod to welcome the rest of the world in Nairobi, it will be an indelible milestone of becoming the first African country to host the fabulous track and field competition.
The World Athletics Council is expected to announce the host cities for 2029 and the 2031 World Athletics Championships on September 15, 2026. Rome, Munich and London are the other cities in competition with Nairobi in the submitted bids.
“I would like to assure Kenyans that we shall continue supporting His Excellency’s vision of ensuring that this country becomes a hub of sports in this region. That is why the government of Kenya together with Athletics Kenya have submitted a bid to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029 or 20231,” PS Mwangi said.
The PS added that hosting the World Athletics Championships in Nairobi will be of great significance to the country that has dominated the sport globally for many decades.
“We know that Kenya is a sporting nation and globally, Kenya has dominated for many years. The marathons, short races and this why the 2029 bid is very critical for us. We hope by 15th of September 2026 when the World athletics council shall announce the winner of hosting 2029 or 2031 World Athletics championships Kenya can be identified as the winner. Hosting the event will have great significance for Kenya because our youths, who have been competing locally and internationally will have a chance to do it on home soil.”
The country lost its quest to bring the championships to the city under the sun in 2025 but has stayed firmly in the hunt to welcome the world to the home of champions.
Kenya has hosted major athletics events before, including the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi in 2017, and the World U20 Championships in the capital in 2021.
“We have come of age in terms of sports in Africa. We have hosted the CAF Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), we are preparing for AFCON next year, we have hosted the Safari Rally, Magical Kenya open golf and many other international sporting events and therefore we know we can make it,” PS Mwangi added.
The World Athletics Championships is one of the most prestigious major international sporting events in the world. As the pinnacle athletics event of the year and the outdoor season finale, it brings together the world’s best athletes to compete for their nations on the biggest stage of all.
It is an ideal opportunity to promote the very best of the host city’s attributes to visitors. The event attracts a balanced demographic with higher-than-average spending power and offers an unforgettable fan experience.
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