Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, beating London and Rome to secure the event.
The decision was confirmed at a World Athletics council meeting in Budapest.
The championships will be staged in Africa for the first time, marking a historic milestone for the continent and Kenya.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe described Nairobi’s proposal as “a compelling and emotional bid”.
He said the decision followed a competitive process involving four outstanding bids for the 2029 and 2031 championships.
Coe added that Nairobi had demonstrated that it had “the right host, the right bid and the right circumstances”.
London had proposed the London Stadium as the main venue. The facility hosted athletics during the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2017 World Championships.
The UK bid was led by Athletic Ventures, a partnership involving UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company.
UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner said the organisation was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.
He thanked the UK Government, London authorities, UK Sport, West Ham United and other stakeholders for supporting the bid.
Nairobi previously bid to host the 2025 championships but lost to Tokyo.
Renovation work at Kasarani Stadium ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations strengthened Nairobi’s hosting case.
Kenya also finished second on the medal table at the 2025 championships, winning seven gold medals and 11 medals overall.
