Private sector to spearhead organisation of 2026 WRC Safari Rally in landmark government deal.
The world of international motorsport is abuzz with excitement as Kenya prepares for one of the biggest events on its sporting calendar – the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya. In a landmark announcement in late February 2026, the Government of Kenya confirmed that it has entered into a new strategic partnership with the private sector to coordinate and execute the upcoming rally. This move marks a watershed moment in the organisation of the event, signalling a new era for the iconic Safari Rally and for the commercialisation of sports in Kenya.
Traditionally, the Government – through the WRC Safari Rally Project Secretariat – has overseen the planning, logistical coordination, security measures and financial obligations associated with bringing this legendary rally to life since Kenya rejoined the WRC calendar in 2021. But in a strategic shift aligned with President William Ruto’s vision to fully commercialise sports and draw greater private-sector investment into Kenya’s sporting ecosystem, the Government has now ceded the lead organisational role to private partners. Under the new framework, private entities will take charge of the rally’s coordination and execution, while the Government assumes a supportive strategic role through a restructured administrative model.
This partnership is more than just administrative reorganisation. The Sports Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, described the development as a major policy milestone that will free up substantial public resources previously tied into event organisation so they can be redirected to the development of other sports disciplines across the country. The Government has already met its key obligation of settling the WRC promoter’s fee for 2026, ensuring that preparations can continue without disruption as the private sector gears up to take the wheel.
This shift comes as Kenya prepares to host the 74th Safari Rally, officially known as Safari Rally Kenya 2026, from March 12 to March 15, 2026. The event will serve as the third round of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship, bringing the world’s elite rally teams and drivers to Kenya for four days of high-octane racing across the rugged terrain of the Great Rift Valley. Naivasha – a town whose landscapes have become synonymous with the Safari Rally – will again be the rally base, offering vast, challenging gravel roads that test car and driver alike and afford spectacular natural backdrops for spectators and media.
The 2026 Rally is set to feature 20 special stages totalling over 350 competitive kilometres, making it one of the most arduous legs on the global championship calendar. The route has adjusted under new FIA regulations, with the race beginning on Thursday and concluding Sunday and including a shakedown stage at Naivasha Wildlife Sanctuary that promises to draw eager crowds. A notable change for 2026 is the omission of the ceremonial Nairobi start – a departure from tradition that underscores the event’s concentrated focus in the Rift Valley region.
Beyond the organisational overhaul, the build-up to the rally has been marked by robust partnerships and grassroots engagement. Kenyan companies like Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) have been active in backing local drivers and boosting rally visibility, renewing media partnerships and investing in both talent development and sustainability messaging around the event. Support has extended to backing drivers like Andrew Muiruri, Ishmael Azeli and Rwanda’s Queen Kalimpinya with significant funding to help fine-tune their preparations. Such support underscores the rally’s dual legacy: as a premier motorsport spectacle and as a platform for nurturing regional talent and driving economic impact.
The 2026 Safari Rally also continues to attract major global competitors. Star teams such as Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team head the entry lists, with high profile names like Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans expected to compete in what promises to be a fiercely contested event. With 46 crews confirmed for the march through Naivasha’s sweeping stages, the health of the competition remains strong and showcases Kenya’s ability to host world-class motorsport under both new organisational and sporting paradigms.
As the countdown to March unfolds, the rally brings with it excitement not just for motorsport fans but for local businesses, tourism stakeholders and the broader national economy. The Safari Rally has become a major drawcard for international visitors, delivering boosts in hospitality, media exposure and local enterprise. Kenya’s decision to share organisational leadership with the private sector could further enhance commercial opportunities, encourage private investment in sports infrastructure, and help position the country as a model for public-private collaboration in global sporting events.
The 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya represents both continuity and change: continuity in its celebration of Kenya’s rugged terrain and global motorsport heritage, and change in how the event is managed, financed and integrated into the country’s broader vision for commercial sports growth. From March 12 to 15, every skid through red dust and each cheering crowd along the Naivasha routes will be a testament to the passion, resilience and global relevance of this legendary rally.