President William Ruto has confirmed that Kenya will retain its place on the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar, with the iconic Safari Rally set to return to Naivasha in 2027.
Ruto made the announcement on Thursday, October 8, 2026, ending weeks of uncertainty over Kenya’s future in the global motorsport championship.
The confirmation comes after questions had emerged over whether the country would secure a place on the 2027 calendar amid discussions over the future financing and organisation of the event.
The President celebrated the development as a victory for Kenya’s motorsport heritage, tourism industry and businesses that benefit from the annual spectacle.
Ruto announces 2027 Safari Rally
In a statement, Ruto said the legendary rally would once again bring some of the world’s leading drivers to Kenya’s Rift Valley.
“Fellow citizens, The Safari Rally stays home. I am delighted to confirm that Kenya will host the WRC Safari Rally in 2027. Once again, the world’s finest drivers will take on our plains, our valleys and the legendary roads of Naivasha.
The Safari was born on Kenyan soil. It belongs on Kenyan soil. Every edition fills our hotels, energises our businesses and carries the beauty of our country to screens across the world. I thank the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, our private-sector partners, the FIA and the WRC Promoter for making this possible. Tutaonana Naivasha!”
The announcement follows months of uncertainty surrounding the rally’s future after the government signalled that it would no longer shoulder the event’s full financial burden.
Private sector takes centre stage
Earlier in 2026, Ruto announced that the government would stop using public funds to promote and finance the Safari Rally from 2027, with private-sector players expected to take over much of the responsibility for funding, promoting and managing the event.
That shift created uncertainty over Kenya’s position on the WRC calendar, particularly because the country’s previous hosting agreement was coming to an end.
Reports in September indicated that Kenya’s place on the 2027 calendar was at risk unless organisers could provide greater certainty over financing.
FIA officials and the WRC Promoter had both indicated that they wanted Kenya to remain part of the championship but required clarity on the event’s future funding model.
The latest announcement therefore represents an important development for Kenyan motorsport, particularly after the country worked to increase private-sector participation in the event.
Naivasha remains the heart of the modern Safari Rally
Naivasha has become synonymous with Kenya’s modern WRC era, providing the dramatic landscapes and demanding gravel stages that have helped distinguish the Safari Rally from other events on the championship calendar.
The 2026 edition was centred entirely around the Great Rift Valley, with competitive stages around Lake Naivasha replacing the traditional Nairobi-based opening.
The WRC describes the Kenyan round as one of the championship’s toughest gravel events, with notorious conditions including loose “fesh-fesh” sand, rocks and unpredictable weather.
The rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence and quickly established itself as one of the championship’s distinctive events.
Drivers have repeatedly highlighted the unique nature of Kenya’s terrain and the challenge presented by the Safari Rally.
A major boost for tourism and local businesses
Beyond motorsport, the Safari Rally has become an important tourism and business platform for Kenya.
During the event, thousands of spectators travel towards Naivasha and surrounding areas, creating increased demand for hotels, restaurants, transport services and other businesses.
In March, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the rally had contributed to full hotel occupancy in Nakuru County and surrounding areas during the event period.
The Kenyan government has also previously highlighted the international exposure generated by the WRC.
In remarks during the 2026 rally, Ruto said the championship’s broadcasts reach audiences across more than 150 countries, presenting Kenya’s landscapes and tourism attractions to a global audience.
The event consequently serves two purposes: giving Kenyan motorsport fans a chance to watch some of the world’s best rally drivers on home soil while simultaneously promoting the country as a tourism destination.
2027 edition comes after a tense wait
The confirmation is particularly significant because the Safari Rally’s future had appeared uncertain only weeks ago.
Kenya had been working to secure a new arrangement with the WRC while transitioning toward a model in which private companies would play a much larger role.
Reports indicated that the funding question had become one of the major issues surrounding the rally’s 2027 status.
The eventual confirmation means rally fans will once again have an opportunity to see the world’s top WRC crews tackle Kenya’s challenging terrain.
For Ruto, the announcement also reinforces the government’s argument that major international sporting events can generate economic activity while showcasing Kenya internationally.
With the 2027 event now confirmed, attention is expected to turn to the final details of the rally, including its route, participating drivers, stages and the role of private-sector partners.
For now, however, the message from State House is clear: the Safari Rally stays home.
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