By Robert Mutasi 
Coe welcomed Kenya’s successful bid, describing the event as a major milestone for the country, Africa and international athletics.
He said the nine-day competition would feature about 2,000 athletes and attract a global television and digital audience estimated at one billion people.
The World Athletics chief’s visit came as Kenya began preparations for the event, which is expected to provide an opportunity to showcase the country’s athletics talent and strengthen its capacity to host major international sporting competitions.
Kenya has previously hosted the World Under-18 Athletics Championships in 2017 and the World Under-20 Athletics Championships in 2021, both in Nairobi. The country also hosts the annual Kip Keino Classic, which attracts elite athletes from different parts of the world.
The 2029 championships will build on that experience while placing greater demands on the country’s sporting infrastructure, accommodation facilities, transport systems and event management capacity.
Ruto also highlighted the government’s commitment to fighting doping, saying he had held discussions with World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Bańka on protecting clean sport.
The issue remains a major concern for Kenyan athletics as the country prepares to host one of the sport’s biggest international events.
Coe acknowledged that Kenya had made progress in tackling doping but said further work was necessary. He noted that stronger testing procedures and reforms had improved efforts to identify and address violations.
The championships are expected to bring greater international attention to Kenya’s anti-doping measures, making continued cooperation between the government, Athletics Kenya, the Athletics Integrity Unit and international anti-doping bodies important.
The meeting in Eldoret was attended by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, World Athletics Chief Executive Officer Jon Ridgeon, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei and other government and athletics officials.
With less than three years remaining before the 2029 championships, the focus will be on turning the government’s assurances into completed infrastructure projects, effective event planning and credible anti-doping measures.
Kenya’s performance in meeting those commitments will be central to delivering a successful competition and ensuring that the first World Athletics Championships on African soil leaves a lasting legacy for the country and the continent.