The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya lauded the sustained effort, investment and collaboration between the Government of Kenya and Athletics Kenya that culminated in the country securing the hosting rights for the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi.
Mvurya said the successful bid was not an isolated achievement, but the result of years of deliberate investment in athletics, sporting infrastructure, athlete development and Kenya’s capacity to host major international competitions.
“This achievement did not happen by chance. It is the culmination of considerable effort, time and investment by the Government, Athletics Kenya and our partners. We have deliberately built Kenya’s capacity and credibility as a host of major international sporting events, and the confidence placed in us by World Athletics validates that journey,” said Mvurya.
Kenya has progressively demonstrated its hosting credentials, having successfully staged the World U18 Championships in 2017 and World U20 Championships in 2021.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the two events provided important organisational experience and demonstrated Kenya’s ability to provide an international-standard environment for athletes, officials, media and spectators.
“Having successfully hosted the world’s emerging athletics talent at U18 and U20 level, we are now progressing to the highest stage—welcoming the world’s elite athletes to the Home of Champions in 2029,” he said.
Mvurya noted that the award comes at a time when the Government, under the leadership of H.E. President William Ruto, is undertaking a major transformation of Kenya’s sporting infrastructure, including investment in 33 stadium projects across the country and the modernisation of existing facilities.
The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which will be central to the 2029 Championships, is undergoing renovation and modernisation, including redevelopment of its athletics track and associated competition infrastructure to provide an international-standard stage for elite competition.
The Government is also developing the 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City, which will be central to Kenya’s preparations for AFCON PAMOJA 2027, co-hosted with Uganda and Tanzania.
These investments are progressively strengthening Kenya’s capacity to deliver mega sporting events ahead of 2029.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that the significance of this investment extends far beyond hosting the Championships.
The infrastructure will provide Kenyan athletes with better training and competition facilities at home, strengthen grassroots talent development, attract more international competitions and create opportunities across tourism, hospitality, broadcasting, technology, merchandising and the creative economy.
“Our investment is not for one tournament. We are building a sporting ecosystem that will serve generations. The facilities we are developing today will nurture tomorrow’s champions, attract international events, create economic opportunities for our young people and strengthen Kenya’s position as a global sporting destination,” Mvurya said.
He added that hosting the 2029 Championships will provide an opportunity to convert Kenya’s established reputation as a producer of world champions into wider economic and sporting value, including increased sports tourism, investment, jobs and commercial opportunities around major sporting events.
“For generations, Kenya has taken its champions to the world. Through these investments, we are creating the infrastructure and capacity for the world to come to Kenya. In 2029, global athletics comes to the Home of Champions,” Mvurya said.
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