Kenya is seeking to secure the long-term future of the Safari Rally on the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar after submitting a request for a new five-year hosting agreement.
Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said the government has formally asked to extend Kenya’s hosting arrangement as preparations get underway for the 2027 edition of the iconic motorsport event.
Speaking in Mathioya, Murang’a County, on Saturday, October 3, Mwangi said the government wants next year’s rally to be bigger while increasing private-sector involvement in its organisation and financing.
“We are preparing to have another bigger rallying event in March 2027 that will be supported by the government and private sector. We have already submitted our request for extension of contract to continue hosting WRC in Kenya,” he said.
The proposed extension would give Kenya another five years on the WRC calendar if approved, potentially securing the Safari Rally’s place in the championship through the 2031 season.
The request comes after Kenya’s current hosting arrangement, which covered the 2026 event, paving the way for discussions on a longer-term agreement with the WRC and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
2027 Safari Rally preparations
As of October 2026, the official 2027 WRC calendar has not yet been formally confirmed, meaning details such as the exact dates, route and stages for next year’s Safari Rally remain subject to confirmation.
However, Mwangi’s announcement indicates that Kenya is already preparing for the event, with the government targeting a March 2027 running. The proposed timing would maintain the period in which the Safari Rally has been staged in recent years.
The 2026 edition was held from March 12 to 15 and featured 20 special stages covering more than 350 competitive kilometres. The rally was once again staged around Naivasha, which has become the event’s main operational base since its return to the WRC.
Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta won the 2026 Safari Rally, securing his maiden WRC victory after a demanding contest that tested drivers and their cars across Kenya’s rugged terrain.
Why Safari Rally is different
The Safari Rally is one of the oldest and most famous events in international motorsport. First held in 1953, it became part of the inaugural World Rally Championship season in 1973 and remained on the global calendar until 2002.
Kenya returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence, with the comeback edition marking a major moment for the country’s motorsport and tourism industries.
The rally has since established itself as one of the toughest events on the WRC calendar. Unlike conventional gravel rallies, the Safari is characterised by rough and rocky roads, deep dust, mud, water crossings, high temperatures and unpredictable weather. Heavy rainfall can make sections extremely challenging, while the demanding terrain puts considerable pressure on rally cars, tyres and crews.
The event has also become an important tourism and economic showcase, attracting international drivers, teams, spectators and motorsport enthusiasts to Kenya.
Government shifts funding model
The proposed extension comes at a time when the government is changing how the Safari Rally is organised and financed. From 2026, the private sector has been given a bigger role in staging the event as Kenya seeks to reduce its dependence on public funds.
The new model is intended to make the rally more commercially sustainable while allowing the government to remain involved in areas requiring state support. These include security, facilitation and negotiations surrounding Kenya’s continued participation in the WRC.
The government is expected to continue working with private-sector stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 event intensify.
For Kenya, securing another five-year agreement would provide greater certainty for the Safari Rally and allow organisers to plan beyond individual editions.
It would also strengthen the country’s position as a permanent host of one of the world's most challenging and historically significant motorsport events.
