KCB Bank Kenya has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to motorsport with a Ksh. 227 million sponsorship package for the 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya, extending a partnership that has now run uninterrupted since the rally’s return to the global calendar in 2021.
Six years on from the event’s comeback after a 19-year hiatus, KCB’s cumulative investment in the Safari Rally stands at Ksh. 980 million, a clear signal of the bank’s belief in the rally’s sporting and economic value.
Of this year’s allocation, Ksh. 100 million has been committed directly to the organization of the Safari Rally. A further Ksh. 28.5 million will back five KCB-sponsored drivers: Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania, Tinashe Gatimu, Rwanda’s Queen Kalimpinya, and Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi. The remaining funds will go toward activations and marketing initiatives tied to the four-day spectacle.
Presenting the sponsorship cheque to Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi on Tuesday morning, KCB Group CEO Paul Russo underscored the broader vision behind the investment, saying the bank’s involvement goes beyond branding.
“Our sponsorship demonstrates our commitment to driving sustainable impact, supporting local talent, and stimulating economic activity across tourism, trade, and enterprise among other sectors,” Russo said. He added that the bank intends to build on its regional sports footprint to nurture talent across multiple disciplines at local, regional, and international levels.
KCB’s sporting footprint stretches far beyond rallying. Over the past two decades, the lender has poured more than Ksh. 5 billion into disciplines including rugby, volleyball, football, golf, athletics, chess, and motorsport. Of that, over Ksh. 2 billion has specifically supported motorsport, helping Kenyan drivers compete at home and abroad.
The 2026 Safari Rally will once again be headquartered in Naivasha, aligning with updated FIA sporting regulations on competitive distances and crew working hours. The rally will cover 350.02 competitive kilometers and 842.9 liaison kilometers across 20 special stages , a condensed but demanding schedule that maintains its reputation as one of the toughest rounds on the WRC calendar.
Action begins on Thursday, March 12, with a shakedown at the newly introduced Nawisa stage, followed by a ceremonial flag off before cars tackle Camp Moran and Mzabibu. Friday’s itinerary features Camp Moran, Loldia, Geothermal, and Kedong. On Saturday, crews will navigate Soysambu, Elementaita, and Sleeping Warrior, with fans set to interact with drivers during an autograph session at Mzabibu.
The rally reaches its climax on Sunday, March 15, as competitors charge through Oserengoni and Hell’s Gate before the decisive Wolf Power Stage, culminating in the prize-giving ceremony.
Safari Rally Kenya CEO Charles Gacheru described the event as a growing global spectacle that continues to elevate Kenya’s standing on the international motorsport stage. This year’s edition is expected to attract 50 local and international teams, with powerhouse manufacturers Toyota, Hyundai, Škoda, and M-Sport Ford confirmed on the entry list.
Among the headline names set to compete are multiple-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, defending Safari Rally winner Elfyn Evans, and Grégoire Munster. As the third round of the 2026 WRC season, the Safari Rally remains a brutal test of endurance, where mechanical precision must contend with shifting weather and the unpredictability of the wild terrain.
PS Mwangi lauded the bank’s continued backing, noting that the investment has strengthened local talent development, drawn global attention to Kenya, and created economic opportunities along the rally route.
As engines prepare to fire up in Naivasha, the Safari Rally once again carries more than just championship points. It brings with it investment, visibility, and a reminder of how sport ,when consistently supported can power both dreams and development.
