As the world gears up for Africa’s premier track and field spectacle, the spotlight is once again on Nairobi for the Kip Keino Classic 2025. This year’s much-anticipated sixth edition not only draws a constellation of international athletic stars to the Ulinzi Sports Complex on May 31, but also breaks new ground by putting the dreams and ambitions of the next generation front and center, making this event a festival of inspiration for all ages.
A new home for greatness
When heavy rains and stadium renovations rendered the traditional host venue – Nyayo National Stadium – a construction site, organisers moved swiftly. The event’s new home is the 10,000-seater Ulinzi Sports Complex, a facility imbued with the discipline and spirit of its military roots. Despite initial concerns about its certification, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya was quick to reassure both fans and participants that all necessary upgrades would be completed to meet international standards, and that Kenya’s global reputation in athletics would never be compromised. The message was clear – Kenya is a nation of solutions, and the show will go on.
As the tartan track is hastily laid and technical areas receive a timely makeover, the move is about more than just logistics. It’s a symbol of Kenya’s resourcefulness and determination to showcase its athletes to the world, no matter the odds.
Investment in dreams and community
The government’s commitment rings impressively loud this year, with the Ministry of Sports allocating Ksh 300 million for the organization of the Kip Keino Classic, ensuring world-class conditions for the meet. Absa Bank also continues as title sponsor for their sixth consecutive year, contributing vital resources to cement the event’s position on the international tour.
But beyond the numbers, it is the human stories where the real value lies. Absa Bank’s Mwihaki Wachira said it best: athletics has become integral to telling the inspiring narratives behind Kenyan sports, uniting communities and giving young athletes hope. Funds are not just for the event day; any revenue from ticketing is earmarked to fuel the dreams of future stars through youth development programs.
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Youth at the heart – kids’ athletics takes center stage
This year is truly transformative. For the first time, Kids’ Athletics is woven into the fabric of the Kip Keino Classic, not as an aside or prelude, but as a living, breathing part of the event. The integration follows the powerful momentum of World Kids’ Athletics Day, celebrated with joy and youthful energy in Elgeyo Marakwet and Makueni Counties. Over 1,300 children aged four to fourteen reveled in the chance to move, play, and dream at St Agatha Mokwo Girls High School, embodying the spirit of global initiatives like the “Relay Around the World” challenge.
Meet director Barnaba Korir and the Athletics Kenya development team stressed that Kids’ Athletics is not mere entertainment. It’s a bold initiative to introduce the next generation to the broader world of competitive sport, especially in underprivileged and densely populated areas. The goal is clear – instill a love for athletics early, sowing the seeds of clean competition and healthy values, and actively nurture talent from an early age.
Coach Boniface Tiren highlighted that these programs let children discover their strengths and passions, while Milcah Chemos, legendary athlete’s representative, spoke of the long-term value gained from such exposure. “When they reach the right age of competing, they will be at their best,” she affirmed. The vision is both local and global – that every child, no matter their circumstance, deserves the chance to run, jump, and chase their dreams.
Global stars shine in Nairobi
No review of the Kip Keino Classic 2025 is complete without turning our gaze to its international field. The excitement runs sky-high as Switzerland’s world indoor champion Mujinga Kambundji – the two-time European 200m titleholder and 2024 Olympic finalist – makes her Kip Keino debut. She steps onto the Nairobi track for the 100m against a fiercely talented field, including Jamaica’s Alana Reid and Belgium’s Rani Rosius. For Kambundji, who clocked an impressive 10.99 for sixth in Paris, Nairobi is another stage to light up with her trademark grace and speed.
On the men’s side, the narrative of redemption looms for local hero Ferdinand Omanyala. After setting the African 100m record here in 2021 and winning in 2022 and 2023, Omanyala seeks to reclaim his throne after a fifth-place finish last year. The Ulinzi track will see him face off with Olympic relay gold medalist Jerome Blake, American sprint ace Elijah Hall, and Australia’s Kennedy Luchembe in a stacked field sure to electrify the fans.
The cast is wider, too. Kenyan rising star Phanuel Koech, fresh off a world Under-20 mile record, is targeting new milestones in the 1,500m. The event also features throw superstars – 2016 Olympic javelin champion Thomas Rohler, Grenada’s Anderson Peters, and Germany’s world hammer throw champion Ethan Katzberg. Each brings stories of persistence, power, and passion, echoing the event’s unique blend of local roots and international flair.
Tickets, fans, and the electric atmosphere
Organisers are well aware that Kenyan athletics fans are among the world’s most passionate. With the move to Ulinzi’s 10,000-seat arena, entry is now ticketed – Sh200 for regular access and Sh2,000 for those wanting the VIP experience. This system isn’t just crowd control; it’s an investment in the sport’s future, ensuring that the Kip Keino Classic remains sustainable and continues to be a platform for young athletes.
Cabinet Secretary Mvurya, Athletics Kenya, and local heroes alike are united in rallying the nation to fill the stands. “Athletics is central to our identity,” Mvurya reminded, underscoring the Classic’s potential as both a source of national pride and a unifying celebration.
Looking ahead – legacy in action
The Kip Keino Classic 2025 stands at a fascinating crossroads. With children’s dreams, government stewardship, sponsor vision, and top-tier athletics woven together, it is no longer just a day for medals and records. It has evolved into an annual testament to Kenya’s ability to rise and innovate, to embrace change, and to inspire not only the seasoned stars but also the smallest hopeful in the stands.
As the gun sounds on May 31, all eyes may be on the finish line, but the real finish is further ahead. It’s in every new athlete inspired, every child given a chance, and every fan who rediscovers the magic of track and field. That’s the true victory of the Kip Keino Classic.
