Kenya to submit bid to host World Athletics Championships – NOC
By Joel Masibo, September 15, 2025The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) First Vice President Barnaba Korir has announced that Kenya will submit a bid to host one of the two World Athletics Championships in either 2029 or 2031.
Taking to the Facebook Page on Monday, September 15, 2025, Athletics Kenya Youth and Development Director confirmed the development after meeting World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe and Chief Executive Officer John Ridgeon, on Monday, September 15, 2025, amid the ongoing 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Korir spoke at the moment Kenya began the contests on a brighter note by bagging two gold medals three days into the Championships. If the bid is accepted, it will be the first time the prestigious event will be staged on an African soil.
“Kenya will be submitting a bid to host either the 2029 or 2031 World Athletics Championships,” Korir posted on his Facebook page.
Korir’s statement followed the launch of the World Athletics Observer Programme in Tokyo by President Lord Sebastian Coe and CEO John Ridgeon. The programme gives prospective hosts a detailed guide to the bidding process and a behind-the-scenes look at organising the championships.
Infrastructure upgrade
Ahead of trying to host the biennial event, Kenya is currently upgrading the existing and building new sports facilities for international sporting events.
The key stadium for World Championships ambitions is the refurbished Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which successfully staged the final match of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN2024) between Morocco and Madagascar on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
The facility also staged all the Group A matches of the home team, Harambee Stars and the quarter finals between Kenya and Madagascar.
Nyayo National Stadium is also an option after recently undergoing major refurbishment and successfully hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals. At the same time, Athletics Kenya has also assembled a technical team led by former Boston Marathon champion Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein to spearhead the bid.
However, with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) non-compliant with World Anti-Doping Code standards, hosting World Championships could hit a snag until the body comes to terms with the World Athletics set requirements.