World Athletics announced the decision on Tuesday after a council meeting in Budapest. Munich was awarded the 2031 championships. London and Rome missed out. Beijing already holds the 2027 edition.
President Sebastian Coe said four outstanding bids had made the choice difficult. “This council decision today means we’re able to deliver our World Athletics Championships in Asia, Africa, and Europe over its next three editions,” he said.
“Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic. Nairobi has presented a compelling and emotional bid.”
Coe added that the championships should come to Africa only with the right host and circumstances. “Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment to supercharge the development of our sport in Kenya and across Africa, leaving a compelling legacy that inspires a continent.”
Events will be held at Kasarani Stadium, which is being renovated ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The venue has a capacity of about 48,000.
Kenya failed in a bid for the 2025 championships, which went to Tokyo. The country has previously hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi in 2017, the World Under-20 Championships in 2021, and the 2010 African Athletics Championships.
Kenya is the second-most successful nation in World Championships history, with 72 world titles and 38 Olympic gold medals, most of them in middle- and long-distance running. Eliud Kipchoge was among those who backed the bid.
Munich will stage the 2031 championships at the Olympic Stadium, returning the event to Germany for the first time since Berlin 2009.