How Kenya won its bid for 2029 World Athletics Championships

What the report says

Kenya has won the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi, becoming the first African country to stage the event. BBC Sport Africa reported that World Athletics president Sebastian Coe announced the decision in Budapest, with Kenya beating bids from London and Rome. President William Ruto welcomed the outcome as a major moment for the country’s athletes and sporting history.

The BBC said Kenya’s case was strengthened by its deep national interest in athletics, its record of success in middle- and long-distance events, and improvements to key facilities. The Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi is being upgraded, and officials involved in the bid said lessons from Kenya’s failed attempt to secure the 2025 championships helped improve the presentation. The city’s hotel capacity and hospitality sector were also presented as advantages.

The article noted that Kenya must still address practical and financial challenges before 2029. Organisers will need to manage transport, ticketing, crowd control and funding, with government support expected to cover the main costs. Officials also want the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host, to serve as a test run for the city’s sporting infrastructure.

BBC Sport Africa also highlighted wider context around World Athletics’ strategy to expand the sport globally, and said Kenya’s selection reflects that goal as well as the country’s strong fan base and elite runners. At the same time, the report pointed to concerns that will remain in the background, including recent doping cases and the pressure to deliver a smooth, well-attended championship.