The legendary Safari Rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 and has been held every year since.
Over the past few years, the Safari Rally has proven it deserves its place in the WRC calendar. It has delivered plenty of drama and quality racing – all of which has been great publicity for the championship.
Now, Autohebdo reports that Kenyan President William Ruto is backing the continuation of the Safari Rally and is actively working towards it.
Ruto himself is an enthusiastic rally fan. He got a taste of rallying during the 2023 Safari Rally when he rode alongside Pierre-Louis Loubet on a Shakedown.
Kenya’s Minister for Sports, Salim Mvurya, confirmed to Autohebdo that the government is continuing its efforts to ensure the Safari Rally remains part of the WRC calendar.
“Kenya is regarded as the rally capital of Africa, and although 2026 is approaching, we are ready to continue in the championship,” Mvurya told the magazine.
“We are working together with the government and all our partners to ensure the rally continues,” he added.
According to Mvurya, the Safari Rally offers something unique that no other event can replicate.
“There is no other place in Africa with such a combination of extraordinary locations and fascinating diversity. From a rallying perspective, this environment is one of a kind. That is why the Kenyan government is ready to take the next step to continue hosting a WRC round,” Mvurya said.
The Kenyan WRC event had not been held for over 20 years before its 2021 return. Initially, a five-year deal was made for the Safari Rally, which was later extended by one year.
This year, Toyota’s Elfyn Evans won the Kenyan WRC round.
