Athletics Kenya (AK) is the body governing Athletics in Kenya. It was known as Kenya Amateur Athletics Association (KAAA) until 2002. The federation was founded in colonial Kenya in 1952 by the late Sir Derek Erskine. Athletics Kenya is a member of the IAAF and Confederation of African Athletics. AK organises athletics competitions held in Kenya. It also sends Kenyan teams to international championships. Isaiah Kiplagat is the current chairman of Athletics Kenya. AK is headquartered in Nairobi, next to Nyayo National Stadium.
Kenya is a powerful nation in Athletics, but the talent is limited to long and middle distance running. Famous Kenyan runners typically come from Keiyo, Marakwet and Nandi districts in western Kenya.
The first major international tournament where Kenya participated was the 1954 Commonwealth Games, in Cardiff, but Kenya did not yet win any medals.