By Robert Kibet
As the Absa Kip Keino Classic marks its sixth edition on May 31, Absa Bank Kenya has once again stepped up with significant financial backing, injecting over Sh60 million into this year’s World Athletics Continental Tour meeting.
The support includes Sh40 million in rights fees and Sh20 million allocated for event logistics and amplification support operations, solidifying Absa’s role as the event’s principal sponsor since its inception in 2020.
Like a trusted pacemaker setting the rhythm in a long-distance race, Absa Bank Kenya has been the steady heartbeat behind the Absa Kip Keino Classic. Its enduring partnership with Athletics Kenya has helped propel the event into the global spotlight on the World Athletics Continental Tour circuit.
In the last decade, the bank has poured over Sh1.3 billion into Kenya’s sports scene, not just as currency, but as lifeblood fueling the dreams of athletes and the aspirations of a nation. From grassroots to global podiums, Absa has been both architect and ally in Kenya’s sporting evolution.
“Beyond medals and world records, sports are a powerful unifying force and an economic catalyst,” said Mwihaki Wachira, Absa Bank Kenya’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing.
“The Kip Keino Classic is more than a meet, it’s a celebration of Kenyan identity, pride, and potential. Our commitment is both financial and non-financial, aimed at growing sports as a driver of national transformation.”
Sports Cabinet-Secretary Salim Mvurya-right, Absa Kenya’s Moses Muthui, left, and Mwihaki Wachira, along with hurdles star Wiseman Were, pose with the banks ‘ Sh60 million sponsorship dummy cheque scaled.
Absa Kip Keino Classic Meet Director Barnaba Korir likened the event’s journey to a relay baton passed with purpose: “With Absa being the main supporter of athletics globally and particularly of this event, we have managed to build one of the most respected meets on the tour. Their consistent funding has allowed us to attract elite athletes and maintain international standards.”
Echoing that spirit, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya praised Absa’s unwavering role. “We thank Absa for being consistent in supporting athletics in Kenya and, more so, the Kip Keino Classic since its inaugural edition. Their investment reflects the importance of sports alongside other national priorities,” he said.
This year, the Absa Kip Keino Classic finds a new home, the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Like a baton passed to fresher hands, the shift from the Nyayo National Stadium to Ulinzi is a testament to Kenya’s evolving infrastructure and soaring ambition.
“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.
Born in 2020 out of a bold stride into the World Athletics Continental Tour, the Absa Kip Keino Classic has matured into more than a sporting event, it’s now a crown jewel in Kenya’s athletic diadem.
Named in honour of Kipchoge Keino, the legend whose name echoes in every stride, the meet is now a rallying point for global competition and national pride.
Korir reflected on how the Classic has rewritten Kenya’s script, particularly in sprints: “Ferdinand 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.”
Indeed, Omanyala’s record-breaking sprints have turned heads and flipped the narrative, showing the world that Kenya’s fast-twitch muscle can match its long-distance heart.
This year’s edition, expected to feature 189 athletes, including 30 Ethiopians, will be no mere contest. It will be a symphony of speed and strength, a gathering of gladiators on a tartan battlefield.
Sarah Moraa, Julius Yego, and Omanyala will lead the Kenyan charge, with the Ulinzi Sports Complex primed to echo the cheers of thousands.
“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,” Korir added.
In a show of high-level commitment, CS Mvurya announced that Sh300 million has been set aside 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,” he said.
For Absa, this isn’t just sponsorship, it’s stewardship.
“The Absa Kip Keino Classic is more than a race, it’s a national moment. Sports unite us and spur economic growth,” said Wachira.
Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Jackson Tuwei confirmed that this year’s programme has been broadened to include over 200 athletes, with young talents from the Under-20 ranks given space to bloom.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports is weaving the future of athletics into the fabric of the nation, rolling out 37 talent academies across Kenya to link elite competitions like the Kip Keino Classic with the hopes and hustle of young athletes from all corners.
As Nairobi readies itself to welcome the world, the Kip Keino Classic returns with renewed fire, its lanes lined with legacy, its spotlight cast on the future. With every sprint, every throw, every leap at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Kenya declares to the world: We run not just for victory, but for vision.
A new legacy is being carved, powered by the grit of athletes, the faith of sponsors, and the soul of a nation forever in motion.
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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