Kenya has unveiled a new model for the organization of the 2026 WRC Safari Rally, handing the private sector a central role in the delivery of one of the country’s biggest global sporting events.
The Government, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, confirmed that it has entered into a strategic partnership with private sector players ahead of the sixth edition of the rally since its return to the World Rally Championship calendar. The shift signals a deliberate move towards deeper commercialization of sport and greater involvement of corporate investment in the country’s sports industry.
The new arrangement is in line with President William Ruto’s push to commercialize sporting assets and expand private sector participation in driving growth within Kenya’s sports ecosystem. By opening up the Safari Rally to a new partnership framework, the Government is seeking to build a more sustainable structure around the iconic event while safeguarding public resources.
Under the framework, private sector partners will take the lead in coordinating and executing the 2026 rally. A restructured administrative system has already been put in place to align operations with the new model, paving the way for a smooth transition. The Government has also settled the promoter’s fee in advance to avoid disruptions and ensure that preparations remain on course.
The move is expected to ease the State’s annual financial commitment to the rally. Savings realized from the new structure are set to be redirected to the development and strengthening of other sporting disciplines across the country, broadening the impact of public investment in sport.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya assured stakeholders that preparations are complete and that Kenya is fully ready to host another edition of the globally acclaimed motorsport spectacle.
“This partnership marks a new chapter for the Safari Rally and for sports in our country. We are confident that the 2026 edition will be bigger, better and more electrifying, while at the same time allowing us to channel more resources into nurturing other disciplines,” said Mvurya.
As part of the transition, the Chief Executive Officer and officers who had been gazetted or seconded to serve in the WRC Safari Rally Project Secretariat will be reassigned back to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports. Those serving under contractual engagements will continue in their roles until the expiry of their respective terms.
The rally, which is traditionally staged in Naivasha, continues to attract global attention and remains a major boost to Kenya’s tourism and sporting profile. With the new partnership model now in place, attention shifts to delivering an event that not only thrills motorsport fans but also reinforces Kenya’s standing as a premier destination for world class sporting events.
