Nairobi has been selected to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029, becoming the first African city to stage the event since its establishment in 1983. The selection came after a three-year campaign that concluded with Kenya’s victory at the World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest on September 15. Competing bids from London, Rome and Munich were also considered, with World Athletics President Sebastian Coe characterizing all proposals as strong.
Kenya’s prominence in distance running has been central to its athletics identity since the 1960s, with athletes including Kipchoge Keino, Paul Tergat, David Rudisha and Eliud Kipchoge establishing the nation as a global powerhouse. Keino, a two-time Olympic champion, characterized the selection as a milestone for African athletics and an opportunity to showcase Kenya’s talent and culture. Kenya’s bid emphasized infrastructure investments tied to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as prior experience hosting the 2017 World U18 Championships and 2021 World U20 Championships.
The announcement has been accompanied by scrutiny regarding Kenya’s anti-doping record. Since 2017, 318 Kenyan athletes have received sanctions for anti-doping violations, with 136 still serving bans at the time of the announcement. The World Anti-Doping Agency found Kenya’s anti-doping agency non-compliant in 2025, though the country was removed from the compliance watchlist in 2026 following corrective measures. High-profile cases involving marathon world-record holder Ruth Chepngetich and former half-marathon world-record holder Kibiwott Kandie have maintained focus on the issue.
Beyond anti-doping considerations, Kenya faces logistical challenges in hosting an event of this scale. The championships will require upgrades to training facilities, transport infrastructure, accommodation and athlete services at and around Kasarani stadium. Nairobi’s traffic congestion and public transport network are expected to face particular scrutiny. Officials have expressed confidence in Kenya’s capacity to deliver the event while maintaining international standards for athletics competitions.
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