The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, is undergoing major renovation and structural improvement as Kenya prepares to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi. The stadium is expected to serve as the principal competition venue when the global athletics event comes to Africa for the first time. World Athletics officially awarded Nairobi the 2029 championships in September 2026, describing the Kenyan bid as one built on strong athletics experience, operational planning, financial guarantees and a renovated Kasarani Stadium. 

The redevelopment of Kasarani is particularly significant because the stadium is already one of Kenya's most important sporting facilities. Rather than constructing an entirely new athletics stadium for the 2029 championships, the ongoing works are intended to transform an existing venue into a modern facility capable of meeting international standards. The current renovation programme is also connected to Kenya's preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, meaning that work at the stadium is serving two major international sporting events.

Kasarani to become the main venue for 2029

Following Nairobi's successful bid, Kasarani has been identified as the main competition arena for the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The announcement represents a major moment for Kenya because the championships will be the first edition of the global event staged on African soil. 

The decision also places considerable responsibility on the stadium. The World Athletics Championships involve athletes competing in numerous track-and-field disciplines, meaning the venue must be capable of supporting sprinting, middle- and long-distance races, hurdles, steeplechase, jumping events and throwing events.

According to recent reports, Kasarani is already undergoing major renovations, with Athletics Kenya and World Athletics technical officials expected to assess the ongoing works and identify additional requirements for the 2029 championships. Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said the government intends to work with Athletics Kenya and World Athletics to ensure that the renovations incorporate the standards required for the global event. 

Renovation began with AFCON 2027 preparations

The current construction programme at Kasarani did not begin solely because of the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The stadium has been undergoing major improvements as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sports Kenya closed Kasarani for renovations in 2026 as the government accelerated improvements ahead of AFCON. The renovation programme has subsequently become even more important following Nairobi's selection to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. 

World Athletics itself has described the Kasarani project as a complete structural overhaul of the stadium's facilities ahead of AFCON 2027. The organisation also noted that the renovated facility formed an important part of Nairobi's successful 2029 bid.

This creates an opportunity for Kenya to avoid carrying out two completely separate construction programmes. Athletics Kenya has been engaging technical experts during the current works so that requirements for the 2029 championships can be incorporated while construction is already taking place.

Athletics Kenya brings in World Athletics expertise

One of the important developments in the preparation process is the involvement of World Athletics technical personnel.

Athletics Kenya has indicated that World Athletics officials have been invited to inspect Kasarani during the ongoing renovation. The purpose is to identify athletics-specific requirements before construction is completed. This approach is intended to reduce the possibility of completing the stadium for AFCON and later having to undertake expensive modifications specifically for athletics. 

Athletics Kenya's Barnaba Korir explained that the track is one of the key areas of focus. The technical requirements go beyond simply installing a running surface. They include the wider athletics infrastructure needed for athletes and officials during an international championship.

The involvement of technical experts at this stage is therefore important because changes can potentially be incorporated into the construction programme before the project is completed.

The athletics track is a major priority

For the 2029 championships, the athletics track will be one of the most important components of the stadium.

Kasarani has a long history of hosting athletics, but concerns had previously been raised about the condition of its track. Athletics Kenya had identified improvements to the facility as an important part of strengthening Nairobi's ability to host another major international athletics event.

The ongoing works have included attention to the athletics infrastructure, including the Mondo track. Athletics Kenya has stressed that the track and other athletics facilities must meet the specifications required by World Athletics. 

The track will need to provide a suitable competition surface for elite athletes arriving from around the world. Its certification, construction quality and supporting facilities will be crucial because athletes competing at the World Championships will expect conditions that meet international competition requirements.

Kasarani has valuable international experience

Another important advantage of Kasarani is that it is not a new athletics venue.

The stadium has already hosted major international competitions, including the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships. Nairobi has also hosted the Kip Keino Classic, which became part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series. 

The experience gained from these competitions provides Kenya with knowledge of how to manage large international athletics events.

The 2017 World Under-18 Championships were particularly significant because large crowds attended the competition at Kasarani. World Athletics cited Kenya's experience in staging international athletics competitions as one of the factors supporting Nairobi's successful 2029 bid. 

The experience is expected to help Kenya prepare for issues such as athlete movement, accreditation, media operations, technical officials, competition scheduling, security, transport and spectator management.

More than just the main stadium

Although Kasarani will be the main competition venue, preparation for the 2029 championships will involve other facilities around Nairobi.

Recent government plans identify Nyayo National Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex as training venues for athletes participating in the championships. These facilities are also expected to undergo adjustments to meet World Athletics requirements. Technical teams from Athletics Kenya and World Athletics are expected to inspect them and recommend improvements. 

This demonstrates that preparing for the championships is not simply about completing Kasarani. Athletes need suitable places to train and warm up, while officials, media personnel and spectators require supporting infrastructure.

Why the Kasarani project matters to Kenya

The renovation is important beyond the 2029 competition itself.

A modernised Kasarani could remain one of Kenya's major sporting venues for many years after the championships. It could host international athletics meetings, national trials, football matches, concerts and other large events.

The investment therefore has the potential to leave a long-term sporting infrastructure legacy.

Recent commentary on the project has also highlighted the possibility of Kasarani becoming a stronger international athletics venue after the 2029 championships, particularly because Kenya already has a strong reputation in distance running and track and field. 

The stadium's location in Nairobi also provides access to the city's hotels, transport network, airport and other services that will be required when thousands of athletes, officials, journalists and spectators arrive.

A tight preparation period

Nairobi's selection for the 2029 championships has created a clear deadline for the renovation programme.

The championships are scheduled for September 2029, giving Kenya approximately three years from the award of the event to complete the necessary preparations. 

This means that the quality and timing of construction will remain important.

The immediate target is to ensure that the ongoing renovation for AFCON 2027 produces a stadium that can subsequently be adapted or enhanced to meet the more specialised requirements of World Athletics.

The government, Athletics Kenya and World Athletics will therefore need to maintain close coordination throughout the preparation period.

Kasarani's historical significance

Kasarani has been closely associated with Kenyan sport for decades. Its history as an athletics venue makes the current renovation especially significant.

The stadium has provided a platform for generations of Kenyan athletes and has hosted competitions involving some of the country's leading sporting talents.

The 2029 championships will therefore represent a continuation of that history rather than the beginning of Kasarani's involvement in international athletics.

World Athletics has specifically pointed to Nairobi's athletics culture and previous international-event experience when explaining the decision to award the city the 2029 championships. 

What spectators can expect

If the renovation programme is completed according to the required standards, spectators attending the 2029 championships should see a significantly modernised Kasarani.

The improvements are expected to cover different parts of the stadium and its supporting infrastructure. The exact final configuration will depend on the ongoing construction programme and recommendations from World Athletics technical officials.

The objective is to create an environment where athletes can compete under international conditions while spectators have suitable facilities to watch the championship.

For Kenya, the event will also provide an opportunity to showcase Nairobi to an international audience.

A historic opportunity for Africa

The 2029 World Athletics Championships will be historic regardless of the final construction programme because it will be the first time the global championships are staged in Africa.

World Athletics confirmed that Nairobi was selected to host the 2029 edition, while Munich will host the 2031 championships. 

For Kenya, Kasarani will therefore become the centre of one of the most important sporting events ever held on the continent.

The stadium's transformation is consequently being watched closely by athletes, sports administrators and fans.