The championships is usually held over a three-day period and the location varies, though the capital Nairobi is a frequent choice as it has both Nyayo National Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre.

[4][5] As a result of this, the national championships can be less of a focus for Kenyan athletes and lesser performances are produced, with slow tactical races common in the long-distance track events.

[6] Athletics Kenya mitigates this by offering cash bonuses for national champions.

[7] The championships was well established by the 1980s, hosting a full range of Olympic-level individual track events for men.

The addition of the women's pole vault in 1999 marked parity of events between the sexes at the Kenyan Championships.