President William Ruto addresses a meeting in Siaya, September 15, 2026/ PCSPresident William Ruto on Tuesday led residents in Siaya in singing the national anthem after Kenya was awarded the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships.
Ruto, who was addressing residents during his development tour of Nyanza, asked the crowd to stand and remove their hats as the national anthem was played in celebration of the decision.
He said the hosting rights were a moment of national pride after Kenya was selected to stage the global athletics showpiece, which will be held in Africa for the first time.
“Today, here in Nyanza and particularly in Siaya, we have received the honour of hosting the first World Athletics Championships in Africa,” Ruto said.
He then called on those present to join him in celebrating the achievement, asking them to sing the national anthem to mark what he described as an international honour for Kenya.
The crowd joined in singing the anthem with the help of a DJ playing an instrumental version, as Ruto repeatedly called for applause for the country after the anthem.
The celebrations came shortly after World Athletics announced that Nairobi had been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, while Munich in Germany was chosen for the 2031 edition.
The decision was made during the 242nd World Athletics Council Meeting in Budapest on Monday and Tuesday.
It means the World Athletics Championships will be held in Africa for the first time when Nairobi stages the 2029 edition.
The championships will then return to Germany in 2031, with Munich selected to host the event at its Olympic Stadium.
Ruto has hailed Kenya's successful bid as a historic victory for both the country and the continent, saying the decision recognises Kenya's long-standing contribution to athletics.
“The World Athletics Championships are coming home!” Ruto said in his congratulatory message.
“Our country has won the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making Kenya the first African nation to stage the premier global athletics competition.”
The President said the hosting rights were a victory for generations of Kenyan athletes who have made the country a global force in track, road running and cross-country competitions.
“This is Kenya's moment, Africa's moment and a victory for generations of athletes who made our nation synonymous with excellence on the track, on the road and cross-country,” he said.
Ruto also congratulated Athletics Kenya, the Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, athletes and other stakeholders who worked on the bid.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Nairobi had presented a compelling bid and described the decision to take the championships to Africa as historic.
He said Kenya was one of the world's great athletics nations and that the sport was deeply embedded in the country.
Nairobi's successful bid builds on its experience hosting major international athletics events, including the 2017 World U18 Championships and the 2021 World U20 Championships. Kenya also hosted the Kip Keino Classic, which became part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold in 2020.
Ruto said Kenya would now focus on honouring the confidence placed in the country by World Athletics and delivering a championship worthy of its reputation in the sport.
“We thank World Athletics for the confidence it has placed in Kenya,” Ruto said.
“We will honour that confidence by delivering an unforgettable championship worthy of our athletes, our country and our continent.”
