Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jackson Tuwei has warned that there is no time for complacency after Nairobi was awarded the 2029 World Athletics Championships, saying preparations for the historic event must begin immediately.
Tuwei, who is also a World Athletics vice-president, spoke on Monday evening after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Copenhagen, Denmark, where Nairobi was confirmed as the host of the global championships.
“The work starts now. We have been allowed and respected to host this championship. What is remaining now is the work, and that work starts now for 2029,” Tuwei said.
He revealed that the first World Athletics inspection team is expected in Kenya within the next two weeks to assess competition venues and other facilities ahead of the championships.
“Soon people will start coming to inspect our facilities. The first one will be here in two weeks, so we have to put in the effort. There will be quite a few people coming,” he said.
Tuwei said Kenya’s preparations would unfold against a packed international athletics calendar, with the 2027 World Championships in Beijing followed by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics before Nairobi takes centre stage in 2029.
“Next year we have the World Championships in Beijing, then after that we have the LA 2028 Olympics. After LA, it’s now Nairobi’s turn,” he said.
He called for unity among Kenyans and the athletics fraternity, saying the country has the capacity to deliver a successful championship despite never having hosted the senior World Athletics Championships.
“All Kenyans, particularly the athletics family, let us encourage ourselves and work together. We have not done this before, but let’s believe we can do this,” Tuwei said. “We have the ability, we have the energy and the courage to do this.”
Tuwei described Nairobi’s successful bid as a landmark moment for Africa and paid tribute to generations of Kenyan athletes whose achievements, he said, helped build the country’s global reputation.
“I want to thank World Athletics for believing in Kenya because this is not just a victory for Kenya; it is a triumph for the whole of Africa. Today, everyone is talking about Africa,” he said.
He also cited Kenya’s experience hosting major athletics championships, including the 2007 World Cross Country Championships, the 2017 World U18 Championships and the 2021 World U20 Championships.
“The only one remaining was this World Championships,” he said. Tuwei also thanked President William Ruto for his strong backing of the bid during the World Athletics Council deliberations. “That made a huge difference. He spoke, and the World Athletics Council listened,” he said.
Tuwei said Kenya had learnt from its unsuccessful attempt to secure the 2025 championships and used those lessons to strengthen its latest bid.
