By David Ndolo
Kenya is set to once again roar onto the global motorsport stage after the government officially confirmed the dates, routes and programme for the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, signalling full preparedness for one of the country’s most iconic sporting events.
The rally, one of the toughest and most celebrated legs of the global WRC calendar, will be held from March 12 to 15, 2026, with Nakuru County hosting the four-day spectacle that is expected to attract thousands of local and international fans.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya said the government had sanctioned the event and assured that all technical and logistical requirements had been met.
Speaking on Friday after receiving a comprehensive project oversight and preparedness report from the WRC organising team, Mvurya said more than 50 drivers had already confirmed participation, underscoring Kenya’s readiness to deliver a world-class rally.
“We are ready to host this event again in Kenya. We have complied with all the technical conditions and we are confident of staging another memorable Safari Rally as we seek to extend the hosting contract for a further five years,” Mvurya said.
He added that Kenya remains optimistic about securing a contract extension, citing the country’s strong organisational record, rising fan turnout and continued government support for motorsport.
WRC Chief Executive Officer Charles Gacheru confirmed that all key technical requirements — including route reconnaissance, ground inspections and safety assessments — had been successfully completed.
However, Gacheru noted that the 2026 edition would feature notable changes compared to previous years.
Unlike past rallies, Nairobi will not host any stage following new regulations issued by the world motorsport governing body. In addition, the rally has been reduced to four days from the traditional five.
“We are fully prepared, but this time we will not have the shakedown in Nairobi as we have done in the past. The shakedown will take place in Naivasha on Thursday near Naivasha Prison,” Gacheru said.
He encouraged rally fans in Nairobi, who traditionally turn out in large numbers for the shakedown, to travel to Naivasha, assuring them that the venue would be free and easily accessible, and would still offer a vibrant fan experience.
The 2026 Safari Rally is expected to draw a bigger crowd than last year’s event, which attracted more than 100,000 spectators.
The event has already been cleared by the Kenya Motorsport Federation and is awaiting final endorsement from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
In motorsport, a visa refers to the official endorsement required for drivers to compete outside their home countries.
As part of a broader strategy to grow motorsport across the country, Mvurya directed the WRC organising team to begin scouting and mapping potential rally routes in other counties, with a view to rotating the event to different regions in future editions.
“We want to extend this sport beyond its traditional host areas. I am tasking the team to carry out extensive mapping of routes in other counties where this event can be held,” he said.
