Kenya is preparing for one of its biggest sporting undertakings, with the World Athletics Championships coming to Nairobi in 2029.
It will be the first time Africa stages the global track and field championship, and the multi-billion-shilling project will come just after Kenya has co-hosted the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Uganda and Tanzania.
The championships will have huge financial implications, and Kenya is expected to borrow a leaf from operations of countries which have recently hosted the championships. The hard work of preparing to host the championship now begins after the World Athletics declared Nairobi the host city for the 22nd edition of the championship on Tuesday.
After winning the hosting rights, Kenya and Athletics Kenya will sign Event Organisational Agreement (EOA) with World Athletics. The contract details the government’s financial obligations towards hosting the championship, and mandates it to secure commercial sponsorships to offset the costs.
Kenya will then enter the Operational Planning and Delivery Phase that will start with formation of the championship’s Local Organising Committee (LOC). Countries that have hosted past championships have had LOC chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, with the Principal Secretary for Sports as his deputy and Chief Executive Officer.
World Athletics technical officials will also be part of the LOC to ensure international standards are adhered to during track configuration, installation of the timing technology, and establishment of anti-doping systems. Kenya will form LOC made up of professionals to manage operations, finance, and logistics. They will oversee the ongoing infrastructural upgrades at the main competition arena at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and at designated training venues at Nyayo National Stadium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, and Talanta Sports City. The venues must meet “World Athletics Class 1 Facility Certification” status.
Kenya's Beatrice Chebet celebrates winning the women's 10,000m Final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo on September 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
Kenya will form “Government and Stakeholders Coordination Committee” to oversee funding, security, transport, and tourism plans. This is likely to involve many ministries, and teams will map out international travel, coordinate accommodation of teams, athlete transport corridors, media hubs, and medical testing facilities. When Beijing hosts the 2027 World Athletics Championships, there will be a flag-handover ceremony to the next host city - Nairobi - to build global awareness ahead of the event in Kenya.
Kenya will stage a dry run or a mock championships (local or international) to test crowd flows at the stadium, ticketing systems, and broadcast compatibility.
Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi yesterday said the exact cost of the championships can only be known after a meeting with World Athletics, and the Event Organisational Agreement (EOA) is done.
“The financial aspect of this event is obviously big. It is a proud moment for Kenya and Africa as the event finally comes to the Home of Champions.”
As Kenya prepares to co-host 2027 Afcon with Uganda and Tanzania, the country has allocated more than Sh50 billion in mandatory hosting fee alongside massive infrastructural investment. The country will spend Sh45 billion on Talanta Sports City, having paid a mandatory hosting fee of Sh3.9 billion to the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).
Renovation work at Kasarani Stadium, which will also benefit the 2029 World Athletics Championships, will cost Sh2.4 billion. An estimated Sh1.2 billion will be used at the Nyayo National Stadium.
President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe (centre) during a press conference in Budapest, Hungary on September 10, 2026 ahead of the World Athletics Ultimate Championships.
Photo credit: Reuters
The massive upgrade at the Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret will cost Sh2.2 billion, with an additional Sh1 billion allocated for upgrades for the training venues.
The ministry for Sports had in June requested for an additional Sh32.32 billion in budgetary allocation in the 2026/27 financial year specifically for 2027 Afcon.
China is projecting to use between $70m (Sh 9.1 billion) and $80 million (Sh10.3 billion)at the Beijing International Stadium, popularly known as the Bird’s Nest. It hosted the 2008 Olympic Games.
Japan spent a total of $ 112 million (Sh15 billion) for the 2025 World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo. What worked in Japan’s favour is that the country had a venue already in place with its capital having just staged the 2020 Olympic Games that were delayed for 2021 due to Covid-19.
Hungary, the host of the 2023 World Athletics Championships, used a total of Euros 800m (Sh 119 billion) for delivery and the construction of new facilities.
The country used Euros 186 million (Sh 27.7 billion) for organisation and promotions and Euros 630 (Sh 94 billion) for the newly built National Athletics Centre and surrounding infrastructure.
The organisers of the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon spent $ 75 million (Sh9.7 billion) in operations and promotion of the event.
Separately, the US government used $ 270 million (Sh35 billion) to renovate the Hayward Field that hosted the championships. It was funded by the private sector through donations.
