New Track, Same Legacy: Ulinzi to Host Kip Keino Classic as Kenya Eyes Global Glory
𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐈, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, has officially announced that the 2025 sixth Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour Meet will be held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, marking a pivotal shift from its traditional home at Nyayo Stadium.
The move, necessitated by ongoing renovations at the Nyayo stadium, reflects Kenya’s evolving sports infrastructure and its growing ambition to host world-class events.
“Ulinzi meets international standards, and any remaining issues are being resolved to ensure a world-class experience for athletes and spectators alike,” Mvurya said during the event’s launch in Nairobi.
Now in its sixth edition, the Kip Keino Classic has grown into a symbol of Kenya’s athletic pride and global sporting relevance. First held in 2020, the event was inspired by the country’s successful bid to join the World Athletics Continental Tour, a decision that saw Kenya stake its place on the global track and field calendar.
“The naming of the event was to honour Kipchoge Keino’s outstanding contribution to our sport and nation,” said Barnaba Korir, Meet Director of the Kip Keino Classic. “Since the inaugural 2020 edition, the Kip Keino Classic has gained international respect.”
Korir highlighted how the event has transcended its initial purpose, nurturing not only distance runners but also giving rise to Kenya’s sprinting revolution, led by none other than Ferdinand Omanyala.
The 100m national record holder famously stunned a world-class field at a previous edition, shifting perceptions of Kenya’s track dominance beyond the long-distance legacy.
“Omanyala’s performance laid the foundation for Kenya’s rise in sprinting. This year, we go to the Tokyo World Championships with three qualified relay teams, following our stellar run at the recent World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China,” Korir added.
Despite a packed global athletics calendar, this year’s Kip Keino Classic is poised to host a total of 189 athletes, with neighbouring Ethiopia having 30 athletes represented.
Local heroes like Sarah Moraa, Ferdinand Omanyala, and Julius Yego will headline a formidable Kenyan lineup, as the country continues to reassert itself as a sporting powerhouse.
“This year’s edition will be bigger than ever. Nairobi remains a destination of choice, not just for athletics but also for its unique charm, being the only capital with a national park in the city,” said Korir.
In a show of government commitment, CS Mvurya revealed that Ksh. 300 million has been approved and earmarked for the Kip Keino Classic.
“Hosting the Kip Keino Classic is not just a sporting milestone, it’s an opportunity for Kenya to shine. We’re investing heavily to reward our athletes and uplift the sporting sector,” said the Sports CS.
Corporate support remains vital to the Kip Keino Classic’s success. Absa Bank, a key partner, reaffirmed its commitment, having invested over Ksh. 1.3 billion in Kenyan sports over the last decade. For the 2025 Kip Keino Classic alone, Absa has committed over Ksh. 60 million, covering rights fees and logistical and amplification support.
“The Kip Keino Classic is more than a race, it’s a national moment. Sports unite us and spur economic growth,” said Mwihaki Wachira, the Absa Bank Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs.
Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Jackson Tuwei noted that the event would feature over 200 athletes, including rising stars from the federation’s Under-20 programs. This year’s selected disciplines were carefully curated to broaden Kenya’s competitive reach.
“We are grateful for World Athletics’ continued support. Kenya remains keen on hosting the 2029 World Championships, and events like Kip Keino Classic prove we are ready,” said Tuwei.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports is rolling out 37 talent academies across the country in a bid to link elite events like the Kip Keino Classic with grassroots development, bridging the gap between potential and performance.
As Nairobi prepares to host the world’s best, the Kip Keino Classic stands as a bold statement: Kenya is not just a land of champions, but a nation shaping the future of athletics.
With each lap run and every finish line crossed at Ulinzi Sports Complex, a new legacy unfolds, one powered by history, talent, and a nation’s unshakable belief in its runners.
-By Robert Kibet | Freelance Journalist
