Kenya is making a monumental push to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029 or 2031, which would mark the first time the global event is held in Africa.

The bid, announced by Sports CS Salim Mvurya, focuses on Nairobi’s Kasarani stadium and is seen as a way to celebrate Kenya’s incredible history of Olympic success.

Crucially, the government has invested heavily in upgrading Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums, linking the athletics bid to the country’s preparation for the 2027 AFCON.

This commitment is intended to convince World Athletics, whose president previously noted stadium concerns, that Kenya is fully ready to welcome 2,000 athletes and generate an estimated $200 million for the economy, despite strong competition from major countries around the world.

Kenya has formally launched a landmark bid to host the World Athletics Championships in either 2029 or 2031, aiming to bring the planet’s premier track and field competition to African soil for the very first time. 

The monumental push, spearheaded by the Kenyan government, eyes Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani as the main venue. 

This bid is not just about logistics; it’s a powerful statement recognizing Kenya’s unmatched sporting history, which includes a legacy of over 60 Olympic gold medals since 1964.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya made the official submission during the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, signaling the government’s total commitment. 

If successful, the event would draw around 2,000 elite athletes and hundreds of thousands of spectators, generating an estimated $200 million for the national economy.

Kenya is now strategically addressing the infrastructure concerns that contributed to its unsuccessful bid for the 2025 Championships. 

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe previously cited the state of Kasarani as a challenge, but Kenya’s current bid presents a far stronger case built on recent successes and major investment.

Crucially, Kenya has a proven record of hosting high-level athletics events. 

It successfully staged the World U18 Championships in 2017 and the World U20 Championships in 2021—two major, World Athletics-sanctioned youth competitions that showcase its organizational capability.

Furthermore, the government has launched an aggressive plan to upgrade Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium, including installing world-class tracks and modernizing facilities. 

This work is part of the preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya is co-hosting. 

CS Mvurya confirmed that these refurbishments are backed at the “highest level,” ensuring the stadiums will meet global specifications long before the September 2026 host announcement. 

This integrated approach, linking the football and athletics bids, provides a concrete guarantee of legacy infrastructure.

Kenya faces a highly competitive field for the 2029/2031 slots. 

Fellow athletics powerhouse Ethiopia is bidding, along with strong contenders like the UK (London 2017 host), Germany (Berlin 2009 host), Italy, India, and South Korea (Daegu 2011 host).

Despite the seasoned rivals, Cabinet Secretary Mvurya stressed that “Africa deserves its moment.” 

He argued that Kenya’s unrivaled tradition in the sport, from legendary Kipchoge Keino to current champion Faith Kipyegon, provides a compelling moral and historical argument that resonates globally. 

The nation has entered the pre-qualification stage and must submit its final documents by August 5, 2026, with World Athletics weighing factors like government support, transport logistics, and public enthusiasm. 

Success would not only cement Kenya’s status as a global sporting powerhouse but would also fuel youth development across the entire African continent.