The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Nyayo National Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex are set for major structural improvements to bring them in line with World Athletics requirements ahead of the 2029 Nairobi World Athletics Championships, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has said.
The two venues have been identified as official training facilities for the championships, while the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will host the main competition.
Mwangi said technical teams from Athletics Kenya (AK) and World Athletics (WA) will assess Nyayo and Ulinzi before recommending the upgrades needed to ensure the facilities meet international championship standards.
“The AK and WA teams will also support inspections and provide technical recommendations on Nyayo National Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex, which have been earmarked as training facilities for the championships,” Mwangi said.
The preparedness of the training venues will be a key part of Kenya’s preparations. World Athletics regulations require warm-up facilities to closely mirror competition venues and offer athletes safe and consistent conditions for preparation.
Among the requirements are a 400-metre track measured along the running line of Lane One, lanes that are 1.22 metres wide, and a World Athletics-certified synthetic surface that meets specified mechanical standards.
Nyayo already features a Mondo synthetic track, a World Athletics-approved surface that has hosted major international events, including the Kip Keino Classic.
Ulinzi Sports Complex, however, may require more extensive assessment. Although the venue successfully hosted elite athletics during the 2025 Kip Keino Classic, it has a poured polyurethane, commonly known as tartan, track rather than the prefabricated Mondo surface found at Kasarani and Nyayo.
The facility has also needed temporary modifications for certain field events during major competitions, highlighting the need for a detailed review before the 2029 championships.
Mwangi said Kasarani could also undergo further improvements based on recommendations from World Athletics.
“With Kasarani already undergoing major renovations ahead of AFCON 2027, the government will work closely with AK and World Athletics officials to inspect the facility and identify any additional requirements that can be incorporated into the ongoing works,” he said.
He added that the goal was to ensure Kasarani meets all the necessary standards once the current renovations are completed.
Mwangi also stressed the importance of early cooperation between the government, Athletics Kenya and World Athletics in preparing for the championships. He said discussions had focused on major areas such as stakeholder coordination, logistics, venue preparedness and the development of clear frameworks to guide the preparations.
“Kenya has the experience, infrastructure, talent and institutional capacity to deliver this historic event successfully,” he said.
Nairobi was awarded the 2029 World Athletics Championships earlier this month, making it the first African city to host the global track and field championships.
