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| Kids Athletics Day celebration in Makueni County |
Kenya joined the global athletics community in celebrating World Kids Athletics Day on May 7, 2025, with colorful and high-energy events held across the country, headlined by national celebrations in Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties. Themed “Relay Around the World,” this year’s edition marked the culmination of a month-long series of activities designed to introduce children to athletics while promoting environmental stewardship.
The celebration was spearheaded by Athletics Kenya (AK) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, with hundreds of schools countrywide participating. Children took part in fun athletic competitions including sprints, relays, jumps, and throws. A unique and meaningful highlight was the tree planting initiative at each event, symbolizing AK’s commitment to building a sustainable environment for future athletes.
“Our goal is to instill a love for athletics in children from an early age while teaching them the importance of protecting their sporting environment,” said Barnaba Korir, AK’s Youth Development Director. “We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from the kids, and we’re excited about the future. These are the future stars of Kenya, and it all starts with programs like this.”
In Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet, the national events drew widespread participation from local leaders, parents, and teachers, who expressed overwhelming support for integrating Kids Athletics more formally into school programs. Many parents and school administrators have called for the initiative to be permanently included in school sports calendars.
Recognizing this groundswell of support, AK announced plans to expand the program and incorporate Kids Athletics into national competitions, ensuring consistent growth pathways for young talent across the country.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya, reaffirmed the federation’s long-term commitment to youth development. “Kenya’s legacy in athletics is built on nurturing talent from the grassroots. By introducing children to structured athletics programs early, we’re not only identifying future champions but also shaping responsible, healthy citizens,” he said. “We thank the Ministry of Education, our coaches, and all stakeholders who helped make this day a success.”
As the curtain fell on this year’s World Kids Athletics Day celebrations, Kenya’s vibrant youth participation and the widespread community support clearly demonstrated the country’s dedication to building a strong and sustainable future in athletics.
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