Nairobi’s 2029 World Athletics Championships Bid Gets Major Boost

Nairobi’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships has received a significant boost, with Athletics Kenya (AK) citing strong government backing and ongoing investment in sports infrastructure as key factors strengthening the city’s chances.

Athletics Kenya Nairobi Branch Chairman Barnaba Korir says Nairobi is now in a stronger position than it was during Kenya’s previous bid in 2025, when the condition of the Kasarani Stadium emerged as a major obstacle.

Korir said ongoing improvements at Kasarani, together with the development of Talanta Sports City, have changed the outlook for Nairobi’s bid and could address some of the infrastructure concerns that previously undermined Kenya’s chances.

Government Support Key to Nairobi’s Bid

Korir identified the government’s formal backing and commitment as one of the most important elements of the bid, given the scale of investment required to host a global athletics championship.

“The guarantee from the government is the most important one in all the aspects of this bid, because it involves a lot of resources that have to go into the construction of infrastructure, development of manpower and so many other factors that the government has to support,” Korir said.

Hosting the championships would require significant investment not only in stadium facilities, but also in transport, accommodation, security, workforce development and other supporting infrastructure.

The development of Talanta Sports City is expected to further strengthen Kenya’s ability to host major international sporting events and provide Nairobi with modern facilities capable of supporting a championship of global scale.

Kenya’s Hosting Experience an Advantage

Kenya’s long history in athletics and experience hosting international competitions could also strengthen Nairobi’s case.

The country has previously hosted major World Athletics events, including the 2007 World Cross Country Championships, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships.

Korir believes this experience demonstrates Kenya’s capacity to stage major international competitions while showcasing the country’s deep connection with athletics.

Nairobi is competing against European cities including London, Rome and Munich for the right to host the 2029 championships.

World Athletics is expected to announce the winning host city in September 2026, following evaluations and meetings in Budapest, Hungary.

Athletics Kenya Focuses on Future Talent

Beyond Nairobi’s hosting ambitions, Athletics Kenya is also strengthening its talent development programme as it looks to build a pipeline of athletes capable of competing at the highest level.

Korir said the federation has established a database designed to track athletes from school competitions through to the senior ranks, allowing officials to monitor their performances and development over time.

“We have developed a system or database in Athletics Kenya that we capture every individual athlete and follow them all the way to senior ranks,” he said.

He added that athletes’ performances would be monitored annually to assess their progress and identify those showing potential for advancement.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2032 Olympic Games are expected to be important milestones for athletes currently being developed through the system.

Athlete Welfare Also on the Agenda

Korir also welcomed the government’s increased financial rewards for athletes who win medals but stressed that long-term welfare remains essential to sustaining Kenya’s athletics success.

He said Athletics Kenya is working on a medical insurance programme aimed at providing athletes with greater access to healthcare.

The programme has received a Ksh20 million pledge from the government as start-up funding, according to Korir.

With infrastructure upgrades underway, government support secured and Kenya’s athletics pedigree firmly established, Nairobi will now await the final decision from World Athletics.

A successful bid would give Kenya an opportunity to host one of the world’s biggest athletics events while further positioning Nairobi as a major destination for international sporting competitions.