The government has unveiled a Sh300 million sponsorship for the upcoming Absa Kip Keino Classic, scheduled for May 31 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Speaking during the official launch of the sixth edition of the World Athletics Continental Tour event on Tuesday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed that all required adjustments to Ulinzi Sports Complex—including compliance with World Athletics standards—will be completed by Saturday.
Mvurya explained that the event was moved from the Nyayo National Stadium to give contractors ample time to lay a new tartan track.
“Nyayo is now labelled as a construction site; therefore, we can’t host that event there. The new venue meets the required expectations as a standard track,” he said at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Nyayo Stadium hosted the first and fifth editions of the Kip Keino Classic, while Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, was the venue for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 events.
Mvurya lauded Absa Bank Kenya for their continued support and thanked Nation Media Group, whose NTV Kenya channel will once again broadcast the championships live.
“All the required adjustments will be completed by Saturday… we are a country with alternatives,” he added.
“Athletes are the country’s pride. The government owes them the very best conditions to train, compete, and succeed. Of course, work on some venues will take time, and we ask for your patience as we complete these essential upgrades.”
“When you travel around the world, we are identified and known for athletics. Kip Keino Classic is an opportunity to continue to shine and activate our pride and unity, and come make sure that we support our athletes and the event,” said Mvurya.
Also present at the launch were Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, Sports Fund CEO Nuh Ibrahim, Absa’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director Mwihaki Wachira, Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei, Kip Keino Classic tour director Barnaba Korir, and Ulinzi Sports Complex Director Colonel James Masai.
Wachira announced Absa’s Sh60 million sponsorship package covering the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Championships, Kip Keino Classic, and Athletics Kenya’s youth and development programmes.
“Among the areas that are being adjusted to meet World Athletics certification are the hammer cage, which is being constructed, and the javelin runway, which has been adjusted from 32m to 36m,” he said.
“More so, the 100m starting area is being redone with a new tartan being put up. We have explained everything to World Athletics besides sharing the designs of areas that are to be adjusted, and they are happy.”
He added that World Athletics Continental Tour events director Owen Malone toured the venue in March, while the director of technical affairs, Suren Ayadassen, is closely monitoring developments.
“They could not have directed the change of the venue if the venue isn’t to the standards,” said Korir.
To manage attendance at the 10,000-seater arena, tickets will be priced at Sh200 for regular entry and Sh2,000 for VIP seating.
Two-time reigning world indoor 60 metres champion Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland and Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya are among the elite athletes confirmed for the event.
Kambundji, who claimed the World Indoor 60m titles in 2022 and 2025 after taking bronze in 2018, will headline a formidable women’s sprint field.
She is set to battle against rising Jamaican star Alana Reid, the reigning World Under-20 100m champion, and Rani Rosius of Belgium, the 2023 European Games 100m bronze medallist.
In the men’s 100 metres, local favourite Ferdinand Omanyala will be looking to reclaim the title he won in 2022 and 2023 after finishing fifth in last year’s edition. Omanyala, who set the African record of 9.77 seconds during his Kip Keino Classic debut in 2021, is hoping for a triumphant return to form.
The Kenyan sprint star will face stiff competition from Jerome Blake, the Jamaican-born Canadian who won Olympic 4x100m relay gold and holds a personal best of 10.00 seconds.
Also in the line-up is Elijah Hall from the USA, the 2022 World 4x100m silver medallist, with a PB of 9.90 seconds, as well as Kennedy Luchembe of Australia, the World Indoor 60m silver medallist, who has clocked 10.00 seconds.
