The landmark decision was reached during the 242nd World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest, Hungary, where Nairobi emerged victorious ahead of compelling bids from Munich, Rome and London.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe made the ruling which marked the first time in history that the World Athletics Championships will be staged on African soil.
Coe revealed the race to host both the 2029 and 2031 editions attracted exceptional interest, making the Council’s decision one of its most competitive in recent years.
‘It’s coming home’
Speaking after learning of the success, President Ruto thanked the World Athletics for the confidence it has placed in Kenya and promised to deliver an unforgettable championship worthy of “our athletes, our country and our continent.”
“The World Athletics Championships are coming home!” read a statement from President Ruto.
“Our country has won the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making Kenya the first African nation to stage the premier global athletics competition.
“This is Kenya’s moment, Africa’s moment and a victory for generations of athletes who made our nation synonymous with excellence on the track, on the road and cross country.”
The statement added: “I congratulate our bid team, Athletics Kenya, the Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, our athletes and everyone who worked tirelessly to deliver this historic feat.
“We thank World Athletics for the confidence it has placed in Kenya. We will honour that confidence by delivering an unforgettable championship worthy of our athletes, our country and our continent.”
Mvurya lauds sustained effort
Kenya Sports Minister Salim Mvurya lauded the sustained effort, investment and collaboration between the government of Kenya and Athletics Kenya that culminated in the country securing the hosting rights.
Mvurya said the successful bid was not an isolated achievement, but the result of years of deliberate investment in athletics, sporting infrastructure, athlete development and Kenya’s capacity to host major international competitions.
“This achievement did not happen by chance. It is the culmination of considerable effort, time and investment by the government, Athletics Kenya and our partners,” said Mvurya.
“We have deliberately built Kenya’s capacity and credibility as a host of major international sporting events, and the confidence placed in us by World Athletics validates that journey.”
Kenya has progressively demonstrated its hosting credentials, having successfully staged the World U18 Championships in 2017 and World U20 Championships in 2021.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the two events provided important organisational experience and demonstrated Kenya’s ability to provide an international-standard environment for athletes, officials, media and spectators.
“Having successfully hosted the world’s emerging athletics talent at U18 and U20 level, we are now progressing to the highest stage - welcoming the world’s elite athletes to the Home of Champions in 2029,” he said.
Mvurya noted that the award comes at a time when the government, under the leadership of President William Ruto, is undertaking a major transformation of Kenya’s sporting infrastructure, including investment in 33 stadium projects across the country and the modernisation of existing facilities.
The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which will be central to the 2029 Championships, is undergoing renovation and modernisation, including redevelopment of its athletics track and associated competition infrastructure to provide an international-standard stage for elite competition.
The government is also developing the 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City, which will be central to Kenya’s preparations for AFCON PAMOJA 2027, co-hosted with Uganda and Tanzania.
These investments are progressively strengthening Kenya’s capacity to deliver mega sporting events ahead of 2029.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that the significance of this investment extends far beyond hosting the Championships.
The infrastructure will provide Kenyan athletes with better training and competition facilities at home, strengthen grassroots talent development, attract more international competitions and create opportunities across tourism, hospitality, broadcasting, technology, merchandising and the creative economy.
“Our investment is not for one tournament. We are building a sporting ecosystem that will serve generations,” offered Mvurya.
“The facilities we are developing today will nurture tomorrow’s champions, attract international events, create economic opportunities for our young people and strengthen Kenya’s position as a global sporting destination.”
Mvurya added that hosting the 2029 Championships will provide an opportunity to convert Kenya’s established reputation as a producer of world champions into wider economic and sporting value, including increased sports tourism, investment, jobs and commercial opportunities around major sporting events.
“For generations, Kenya has taken its champions to the world. Through these investments, we are creating the infrastructure and capacity for the world to come to Kenya. In 2029, global athletics comes to the Home of Champions,” explained Mvurya.
The 2029 championships will build on Kenya’s growing reputation as a proven host of major World Athletics competitions.
