Team Kenya has once again shown the world that we are a nation of champions. At the just-concluded World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, our athletes brought home:
🥇 7 Golds
🥈 2 Silvers
🥉 2 Bronzes
This historic haul marks our 3rd most successful outing in the World Championships since the competition began in 1983. Only the 2011 and 2015 editions saw bigger medal totals. Kenya finished 2nd globally, only behind the USA, and reaffirmed its position as Africa’s number one athletics powerhouse.
Even more remarkable, our women completely swept the middle and long distance titles from 800m to the marathon, breaking three championship records and defending three titles won in Budapest 2023.
This is not just sporting success, it is proof of Kenya’s untapped economic and social potential through sport.
Sport as an Economic Driver
Globally, sport contributes 2–3% of GDP and grows annually at around 5%, creating jobs, stimulating tourism, driving infrastructure development, and uniting communities. Yet, in Kenya, public investment in sport is often less than 0.2% of the national budget. That is a missed opportunity.
Our athletes are winning medals on the world stage despite limited facilities and fragmented management structures. Imagine the possibilities if we invested seriously in world-class infrastructure, structured development programs, and professional sports management systems.
Linking Sport to Sustainable Development
The United Nations recognizes sport as a driver of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . From promoting health and education, to advancing gender equality, to creating decent work and reducing inequalities. In Kenya, athletics has already proven its power to transform lives: turning young talent from rural villages into global stars, inspiring national pride, and opening doors for economic mobility.
What Kenya Needs to Do
For sport to reach its full potential, Kenya must:
- Invest in Infrastructure: Build and maintain modern training facilities across counties, not just in Nairobi and Eldoret.
- Strengthen Structures: Establish clear, transparent systems for talent identification, development, and support.
- Professionalize Sports Management: Adopt global best practices in managing federations, sponsorships, and athlete welfare.
From Medals to Economic Growth
Kenya’s athletes have once again done their part, showing the world our excellence. It is now time for policymakers, investors, and all stakeholders to do theirs. With proper investment and management, sport can move from being just a source of medals and pride to becoming a true economic engine driving growth, creating jobs, and shaping Kenya’s future.
Kenya is already the kingdom of champions. Now let’s make sport a kingdom of opportunity for all.