Absa Bank Kenya has officially renewed its title sponsorship for the 2026 edition of the World Athletics Continental Gold Tour race, injecting Ksh. 35 million into the event scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Nyayo National Stadium.
For the first time in its history, the meet will be held under floodlights, with the main program running from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This evening slot is designed to create a high-octane atmosphere for spectators and provide athletes with a world-class night-track environment.
The Ksh. 35 million commitment is part of Absa’s broader Ksh. 60 million investment in the 2026 national athletics calendar. A breakdown of the Kip Keino Classic funding includes:
- Ksh. 27 million: Rights fees.
- Ksh. 8 million: Event execution, stakeholder experiences, and media engagement.
This year marks Absa’s sixth year as the title partner, bringing its total investment in the Kip Keino Classic to Ksh. 196 million since the partnership began. Over the last decade, the bank has funneled nearly Ksh. 2 billion into the wider Kenyan sports ecosystem.
“At Absa, our purpose is to empower Africa’s tomorrow, together one story at a time,” said Mwihaki Wachira, Absa Bank Kenya Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director. “Through long-term partnerships, we are contributing to the growth of athletics while positioning Kenya as a global sporting and tourism destination.”
The 2026 meet promises to be a star-studded affair. Athletes will compete for substantial prize money and crucial world ranking points on Nyayo Stadium’s newly installed Mondo track, which officials believe could facilitate world-record paces in the sprints.
Notable athletes expected to compete include:
- Ferdinand Omanyala: Africa’s fastest man.
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi: Olympic and World middle-distance champion.
- Ethan Katzberg: Canadian Olympic and World hammer throw champion.
- Dalilah Muhammad: American Olympic gold medalist.
- Julius Yego: African Javelin record holder.
The action begins early with a national curtain-raising event at 1:40 PM, followed by the main international program. In another historic first, the 2026 schedule will feature Under 20 (U20) races to showcase rising youth talent.
Athletics Kenya Meet Director Barnabas Korir confirmed that entry to the stadium will be free of charge, urging Kenyans to turn out in large numbers. “We are all set,” Korir stated. “The event will conclude with the men’s 100m race followed by the closing ceremony at 8:00 PM. We expect a massive turnout both at the stadium and from global audiences tuning in to see the magic of night-time athletics in Nairobi.”
The bank’s 2026 athletics commitment also covers the Sirikwa World Athletics Gold Cross Country, which took place in February.