Ambitious Kenya to submit bid to host World Athletics Championships

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) First Vice President and Athletics Kenya Youth and Development Director, Barnaba Korir, says Kenya will bid to host the World Athletics Championships in either 2029 or 2031.

Korir, who is leading Kenya’s delegation at the ongoing World Championships in Tokyo—where the country has already collected two gold medals—announced the plan on his social media pages, calling it a bold step to bring the prestigious event to Africa for the first time.

“Kenya will be submitting a bid to host either the 2029 or 2031 World Athletics Championships,” Korir posted on his social media page, highlighting the nation’s ambition to stage the global showcase.

Korir’s statement followed the launch of the World Athletics Observer Programme in Tokyo by President Lord Sebastian Coe and CEO John Ridgeon.

The programme gives prospective hosts a detailed guide to the bidding process and a behind-the-scenes look at organizing the championships.

Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei confirmed during the Tokyo team flagging off at State House, that the official bid will be submitted during the Tokyo championships.

Kenya will face competition from Ethiopia, which has also expressed interest.

The government, led by President William Ruto and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, had pledged full backing and promised to upgrade infrastructure to meet international standards.

Kenya’s key stadiums—Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo National Stadium—have recently undergone major refurbishment and successfully hosted the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals.

Plans are already underway to replace Kasarani’s temporary astro-turf with a tartan running track to meet World Athletics requirements.

Athletics Kenya has also assembled a technical team led by former Boston Marathon champion Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein to spearhead the bid.

However, a key hurdle remains: the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) is currently non-compliant with World Anti-Doping Code standards, a situation that could block Kenya from hosting until it is resolved.

This bid comes as the World Athletics deadline of October 1, 2025, approaches, with the 2027 edition already awarded to Beijing, China.

If successful, Kenya would become the first African nation to host the biennial World Athletics Championships—an achievement that would mark a landmark moment for the country’s rich athletics heritage, especially after Nairobi’s failed attempt to secure the 2025 edition.