The sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic, held Saturday at Ulinzi Sports Complex, left behind not just memorable performances but vital lessons for Athletics Kenya (AK), the government, and corporate sponsors.
Pulling off a successful event at a venue that wasn’t initially certified and securing World Athletics approval in record time was a remarkable feat.
Credit goes to AK president and World Athletics deputy president Jack Tuwei, his executive team, and event partner Golazo Sports.
Edmund Serem of Kenya wins the 3,000m steeplechase ahead of Ethiopian Dinka Fikadu during the Absa Kip Keino Classic on May 31, 2025, at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The event was an electrifying showcase of talent and organisation, reaffirming Kenya’s status as a global athletics powerhouse.
Absa Bank Kenya’s consistent support, including Sh60 million for the Kip Keino Classic, Sirikwa Cross Country Classic, and Kids’ Athletics programmes, remains invaluable.
However, it was the government’s late injection of Sh300 million that proved transformative—facilitating critical upgrades to the 10,000-seater Ulinzi Sports Complex, now Kenya’s third World Athletics-certified venue after Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) and Nyayo Stadium.
Australian Kennedy stuns Omanyala to win 100m at Kip Keino Classic
The move from Nyayo to Ulinzi, due to delays in laying its artificial tartan track, nearly jeopardized the event. “The repercussions of failing to stage the event due to lack of a venue would have been grave for a nation that prides itself as one of the world’s athletics giants,” the report notes.
Yet Ulinzi, while meeting minimum standards, still lacks a proper warm-up track—an essential for hosting elite international events.
As Kenya pursues bids to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships and a Diamond League leg, infrastructure readiness remains paramount. Kenya previously failed in its bid to host the 2025 World Championships for that very reason.
Maia McCoy of Liberia wins the 100m during the Absa Kip Keino Classic at Ulinzi Sports Complex on May 31, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“It doesn’t augur well if we can’t lure our own top athletes for a World Athletics Continental Gold Tour event,” the report adds, highlighting the need for earlier planning.
Star sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala emphasised, “Many top athletes want to compete in Kenya but can only do that at a good setup—and only MISC fits that.”
The Sports Fund CEO Nuh Mohammed Ibrahim has rightly warned that no stadium should be built or renovated without expert consultation to avoid further public resource wastage.
Despite the logistical challenges, fans turned up in droves at Ulinzi, creating a rousing atmosphere.
The event delivered two world leads (WL), two meet records (MR), two national records (NR), numerous personal bests (PB), and several world championship qualification marks.
Kennedy Lachlan of Australia celebrates after winning the 100m during the Absa Kip Keino Classic at Ulinzi Sports Complex on May 31, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Among the standout performances: Mercy Oketch (50.14) set a PB and NR in the women’s 400m, Wiseman Were ran a PB of 48.34 in the 400m hurdles, Lilian Odira clocked 1:58.31 for a PB and world qualification in the 800m.
George Malala (16.66m) and Amalie Iuel (54.80) took victories in shot put and 400m hurdles, respectively, in MR times.
Nene Zakithi of Zambia ran a WL 43.76 in the 400m. Ethan Katzberg, Olympic and world hammer throw champion, also posted a WL of 82.73m.
Lilian Odira celebrates after she won the Absa Kip Keino Classic women’s 800m race at Ulinzi Sports Complex on May 31, 2205.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The Kip Keino Classic proved yet again why Kenya remains a cornerstone of global athletics—but the nation must now back that status with consistent investment and planning.
