Kenya has begun detailed preparations for hosting the 22nd World Athletics Championships in Nairobi in September 2029, with World Athletics Competition Management Director Pierce O’Callaghan visiting the country to assess facilities and provide guidance on the infrastructure required for the global event.

O’Callaghan’s visit marks one of the first major steps in Kenya’s preparations since Nairobi was officially selected to host the 2029 championships. World Athletics announced on September 15, 2026, that Nairobi would stage the event, making it the first time the World Athletics Championships will be held on African soil.

During his visit, O’Callaghan was accompanied by officials from the Ministry responsible for Sports and Athletics Kenya. The delegation inspected several key sporting facilities in Nairobi, including the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex.

The inspections are intended to help Kenya identify areas that require improvement and ensure that the facilities meet the standards expected for a major international athletics championship.

Kasarani at the Centre of Preparations

Kasarani Stadium is expected to serve as the main competition venue for the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The facility is already undergoing major renovation works ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.

The ongoing renovations provide an opportunity for Kenya to incorporate World Athletics requirements into the works already taking place at the stadium. Sports officials have indicated that technical teams from World Athletics and Athletics Kenya will continue assessing the facility and identifying any additional requirements needed for the championships.

According to the Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, the government intends to work closely with World Athletics to ensure that the ongoing improvements at Kasarani are aligned with the requirements of the 2029 championships.

This approach could allow Kenya to prepare the stadium for two major international sporting events within a relatively short period, with AFCON 2027 coming two years before the World Athletics Championships.

The upgrades will need to cover various aspects of the stadium, including the athletics track, field-event facilities, spectator areas, media facilities, lighting, timing systems, medical services and other competition-related infrastructure.

Nyayo and Ulinzi to Support Training

While Kasarani will be the main competition venue, preparations will also focus on facilities that will support athletes during the championships.

Nyayo National Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex have been identified as important training facilities. The two venues are expected to undergo adjustments where necessary to bring them in line with the requirements set by World Athletics.

The inspection by O’Callaghan is therefore important in establishing what improvements will be required at the two facilities.

Sports officials have said technical teams from Athletics Kenya and World Athletics will assess the venues and make recommendations on the infrastructure, equipment and other requirements needed before the championships.

The availability of quality training facilities will be important because the World Athletics Championships will bring together athletes and teams from around the world, creating significant demand for suitable training and preparation venues.

A Historic Championship for Africa

Nairobi's selection to host the 2029 championships represents a major milestone for African athletics.

World Athletics confirmed that the event will be the first edition of its flagship outdoor championships to take place in Africa. Kenya's selection also builds on Nairobi's experience of hosting major international athletics events, including the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships.

Kenya has also continued to host the Kip Keino Classic, which has become an important event on the World Athletics calendar.

The experience gained from these competitions is expected to contribute to preparations for the 2029 championships, although the scale of the event will require considerably wider planning.

Beyond Stadiums

Hosting a global athletics championship involves more than preparing competition and training venues.

Kenya will also need to coordinate areas such as transport, accommodation, security, medical services, broadcasting, accreditation, ticketing, technology and general event operations.

Thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, journalists, volunteers and spectators are expected to be involved in the championship.

The organisation of transport will be particularly important, as teams and officials will need reliable movement between accommodation facilities, training venues and competition areas.

Accommodation will also be a major part of the preparations, with hotels and other facilities expected to cater for participants and visitors arriving from different parts of the world.

The championship will also provide an opportunity for Kenya to showcase Nairobi and the wider country to an international audience.

World Athletics officials have stressed the importance of involving Kenyans in the event, including through volunteering, attending competitions and participating in activities associated with the championships.

Government Reaffirms Commitment

Following the inspection, the government reaffirmed its commitment to working with World Athletics and Athletics Kenya to ensure the necessary preparations are completed.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has said Kenya has the resources and capacity to prepare for the championships, while emphasising the importance of early planning and cooperation with the international athletics governing body.

The government is expected to continue engaging World Athletics as preparations progress, particularly on technical requirements and infrastructure standards.

For Kenya, the early inspection provides an opportunity to identify challenges well before the championship begins. With almost three years remaining before the event, officials have time to address infrastructure gaps, test facilities and put in place the necessary operational systems.

The Road to Nairobi 2029

The visit by Pierce O’Callaghan signals the beginning of a long preparation process that will continue through to 2029.

World Athletics has already provided technical guidance, while Kenyan officials and Athletics Kenya are expected to coordinate the implementation of recommended improvements.

The success of the preparations will ultimately depend on how effectively the different stakeholders work together, from government agencies and Athletics Kenya to World Athletics, facility managers and other partners.

As Nairobi prepares to welcome the world's leading track and field athletes, attention will increasingly shift toward the readiness of venues and the wider infrastructure required to stage the championship.

For Kenya, the 2029 World Athletics Championships will be more than another international sporting event. It will be the first time Africa hosts the flagship World Athletics Championships, placing Nairobi on the global athletics stage.

With inspections now underway at Kasarani, Nyayo and Ulinzi, Kenya's journey toward Nairobi 2029 has officially moved from the bidding stage into detailed preparations. The coming years will determine how the country transforms its plans and existing facilities into venues capable of meeting the demands of one of the world's biggest athletics competitions.