Kenya has increased its efforts to host the prestigious World Athletics Championships. Authorities have expressed confidence in the nation’s capability to organize this global event in either 2029 or 2031.
Following a meeting with a top-level delegation from World Athletics, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi affirmed Kenya’s readiness to fulfill the operational, financial, and infrastructural demands of hosting one of the world’s most significant sporting events.
The delegation, headed by Antti Pihlakoski, engaged in strategic talks with Kenyan officials regarding the nation’s hosting bid.
‘Our discussions centered on evaluating Kenya’s ability to meet the strict operational, financial, and infrastructural standards needed to host one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events,’ Mwangi stated.
He noted that these talks provided Kenya a chance to showcase its improving capability to organize events meeting international standards.
‘Recognizing the competitive nature of Kenya’s bid, I reaffirmed the Government’s steadfast support and commitment to securing and successfully hosting this elite championship in Nairobi once our proposal is approved,’ he emphasized.
Mwangi highlighted that Kenya’s standing as a dominant force in global athletics, combined with investments in sports infrastructure, transportation networks, and hospitality facilities, had bolstered the nation’s candidacy.
‘Kenya is not just the birthplace of champions; we are prepared to welcome the world,’ he declared.
The Principal Secretary also emphasized ongoing initiatives to enhance the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), noting the government’s dedication to clean sportsmanship and international standards.
In recent years, Kenya has organized numerous major international events, such as the World Rally Championship Safari Rally, the Magical Kenya Open, the FIFA Women’s Series 2026, and the African Nations Championship.
Additional members of the World Athletics delegation comprised Marton Gyulai, Mark Hurst, Niels Lindholm, and Nigel Swinscoe.