The 4th All-Africa Games were played from August 1, 1987, to August 12, 1987, in Nairobi, Kenya. 42 countries participated in fourteen sports.

IV All-Africa Games

Logo of the VI All-Africa Games
Host city	Nairobi, Kenya
Nations	42
Events	14 sports
Opening	1 August 1987
Closing	12 August 1987
Opened by	Daniel arap Moi
Main venue	Kasarani Stadium
← Algiers 1978 Cairo 1991 →

From the beginning the intent had been to hold the African Games every four years. Economic difficulties and general civil unrest had never allowed this to happen. The fourth Games were no exception. Originally scheduled for 1982, a weak Kenyan economy slowed preparations. The Chinese helped provide the necessary funds and manpower to begin building Kasarani Stadium, but too late to hold the games on schedule. It was suggested at one time that Tunis, Tunisia arrange the fourth games in 1982 and Nairobi take its turn in the fifth games in 1986. This proposal was voted down, but the Nairobi games dates were pushed back to 1986. This was still not enough time for the Kenyans to ready themselves and the games finally opened in August 1987. The Games have kept to the four-year schedule since this edition.

A torch was relayed from Nairobi to the Kenyan coast, the Kenyan highlands and back to Nairobi where World Champion John Ngugi carried it into the stadium in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 80,000.

Organizational difficulties with housing and facilities, typical in events such as these, were evident in the Nairobi games as well, but in the end the games concluded without undue calamity.

Egypt won the soccer final from host Kenya on the final day, and finished at the top of the medals table once again.

At the closing ceremonies the torch was passed to Cairo, Egypt to begin preparations for the Vth All-Africa Games in 1991.