President William Ruto has welcomed the decision to award Nairobi the 2029 World Athletics Championships, describing the achievement as a historic moment for Kenya, Africa and generations of athletes who have built the country's reputation in international athletics. The announcement was made on September 15, 2026, following a meeting of the World Athletics Council in Budapest, Hungary. Nairobi's selection means that Kenya will become the first African country to host the senior World Athletics Championships. 

Ruto's reaction was strongly celebratory. In his message after the announcement, he declared that “The World Athletics Championships are coming home!” He said Kenya's successful bid represented a major achievement for the country and the continent, while acknowledging the athletes who have helped establish Kenya as one of the world's best-known athletics nations. 

Ruto calls it Kenya's and Africa's moment

One of the central themes in President Ruto's reaction was the wider significance of the decision. He described the occasion as “Kenya's moment, Africa's moment” and a victory for generations of athletes who have made the country synonymous with excellence on the track, road and cross-country events. 

The statement reflects Kenya's long history in athletics. Kenyan runners have achieved international success particularly in middle- and long-distance events, while the country has also developed a strong athletics culture at grassroots level.

For Ruto, therefore, bringing the world's biggest athletics championship to Nairobi is not simply about hosting another international sporting event. His reaction presented it as recognition of Kenya's contribution to athletics and an opportunity for Africa to host the sport's premier global championship for the first time.

Ruto thanks the people behind the Nairobi bid

The President also congratulated those who worked to secure the hosting rights. He specifically recognised the Nairobi 2029 bid team, Athletics Kenya, the Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, Kenyan athletes and other stakeholders involved in the campaign. 

Ruto also thanked World Athletics for putting its confidence in Kenya. He said Kenya would honour that confidence by delivering an unforgettable championship worthy of its athletes, country and continent. 

This part of the President's response is significant because winning the hosting rights is only the beginning. Kenya will now have several years to prepare for an event that will attract some of the world's leading athletes, coaches, officials, journalists and spectators.

 *A historic first for Africa* 

World Athletics officially confirmed Nairobi as the 2029 host on September 15. The decision means the championships will be held in Africa for the first time in the history of the senior World Athletics Championships. 

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described Nairobi's proposal as a compelling and emotional bid and said taking the championships to Africa for the first time would be historic. He also highlighted Kenya's deep connection with athletics and its potential to help expand the sport's reach across the continent. 

Nairobi defeated competing bids to secure the 2029 edition, while Munich, Germany, was selected to host the 2031 championships. The next World Athletics Championships will be held in Beijing in 2027. 

Ruto celebrates the announcement in Siaya

The President's reaction was also witnessed during his ongoing tour of the Nyanza region. While addressing residents in Siaya on September 15, Ruto asked members of the crowd to stand and remove their hats as the national anthem was played to celebrate Kenya's successful bid.

According to reports from the event, Ruto told residents that Kenya had received the honour of hosting the first World Athletics Championships to be held in Africa. The crowd joined in the celebration as the anthem was played. 

The moment demonstrated how significant the announcement was being treated by the government. Rather than presenting it simply as a sporting development, the President framed it as a matter of national pride.

Kenya's athletics history behind the bid

Kenya's successful bid was supported by its long record of hosting international athletics competitions. Nairobi previously hosted the 2017 World Athletics Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships. Kenya also hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa and the 2010 African Athletics Championships. 

World Athletics noted that Kenya's previous experience helped strengthen its case. The country had also bid for the 2025 World Championships but did not win the hosting rights on that occasion. The 2029 bid therefore represented another opportunity to demonstrate Kenya's readiness to host the senior global championship.

Kasarani Stadium will play a major role

A major part of Nairobi's preparations will involve Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which is undergoing renovation. The stadium is expected to serve as the main venue for the championships. 

The renovations are also linked to Kenya's preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. World Athletics highlighted the renovated Kasarani facility as one of the factors supporting Nairobi's bid.

The hosting of the 2029 championships will therefore place significant attention on the country's sports infrastructure. Kenya will need to ensure that stadium facilities, training venues, accommodation, transport systems, security and other services are ready to meet international standards.

Opportunity for young Kenyan athletes

Ruto's reaction also comes against the background of the government's broader emphasis on sports development. The President has previously spoken about the need to invest in sporting infrastructure and create opportunities for young people to develop their talents.

The 2029 championships could give young Kenyan athletes an opportunity to see the world's best competitors competing on home soil. It could also provide inspiration to children and young people who are interested in athletics.

The event may additionally provide opportunities for Kenyan athletes who will be competing at that time to experience the advantage of performing before a home crowd.

Tourism and economic opportunities

Hosting the World Athletics Championships could also have implications beyond sport. Nairobi is expected to welcome athletes, officials, coaches, international media and spectators from different parts of the world.

The increased international attention could benefit Kenya's tourism and hospitality sectors. Hotels, restaurants, transport companies, tour operators and other businesses could potentially benefit from increased demand around the championship period.

The event will also give Kenya an opportunity to showcase its tourism attractions and culture to an international audience. The country's reputation for athletics already attracts visitors interested in training and running, and hosting the world's premier athletics championship could further increase that visibility.

A responsibility for Kenya

Although the President celebrated the decision, the award also creates substantial responsibilities for Kenya. Winning the bid means the country now has to deliver on the commitments made during the bidding process.

World Athletics will expect preparations to meet the required standards. This will involve coordination between the national government, Athletics Kenya, Nairobi authorities, World Athletics and other stakeholders.

Kenya will also need to ensure that the facilities are completed on time and that the championships are organised effectively. Issues such as athlete accommodation, transportation, security, medical services, accreditation, broadcasting and spectator management will all form part of the preparations.

There is also international attention on Kenya's anti-doping record. AFP reported that more than 140 Kenyan athletes have been suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit since 2017 for anti-doping violations, making integrity measures an important part of Kenya's preparations. 

Ruto's message to World Athletics

At the heart of Ruto's response was gratitude and a commitment to deliver. By thanking World Athletics for its confidence in Kenya, the President acknowledged the responsibility that comes with hosting such an important international competition.

His promise that Kenya will deliver a championship worthy of its athletes, country and continent sets an expectation for the years leading up to 2029. 

World Athletics itself has described the Nairobi decision as strategically important for expanding the global footprint of athletics. Sebastian Coe said the organisation wanted to take its championships to regions that could help grow the sport, while describing Nairobi's bid as compelling.