President Ruto Confirms Changes To WRC Safari Rally After 2026 Edition

President William Ruto has revealed that the government will stop promoting the iconic Safari Rally Kenya using public funds beginning next year, 2027, marking a major change in how one of the country’s biggest global sporting events will be financed.

While speaking in Naivasha, Nakuru County, on Sunday, March 15, during the closing ceremony of this year’s rally, the President confirmed that the state will no longer bankroll the event and that future editions will be entirely backed and promoted by the private sector.

“This is the last Safari Rally where we will be spending public money to promote. From next year, this event will be fully funded and supported by the private sector,” Ruto stated.

According to the Head of State, funds previously allocated to the rally will now be redirected to grassroots sports development and school programmes.

Hyundai's Esapekka Lappi in action during the World Rally Championship Safari Rally on March 15, 2026. /PCS

“The resources we have as a government will now be used to promote sports in our schools and other spheres,” he added.

The announcement followed a recent move by the Ministry of Sports to enter into an agreement with private partners to take a more prominent role in organising the recently concluded WRC event.

Ahead of the 2026 rally, the ministry indicated the partnership was designed to ease the financial pressure on the government when hosting major international competitions. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya explained that the shift aligned with President Ruto’s broader strategy to commercialise sports and increase private sector participation in the country’s sporting industry.

“This breakthrough marks a monumental realization of the strategic vision of H.E. President William Ruto towards the full commercialization of sports and sporting assets, as well as enhanced private-sector participation in the growth and development of Kenya’s sports ecosystem,” Mvurya explained on February 24, 226.

Under the new arrangement, private partners began spearheading the coordination and execution of the rally, while a restructured administrative framework was to be introduced to support smooth operations.

The government had settled the promoter’s fee, ensuring preparations for the global motorsport event continued without disruption.

Meanwhile, Ruto’s statement also comes amid ongoing discussions about Kenya’s future on the World Rally Championship calendar as the country’s current hosting agreement nears expiry. Despite communicating the changes, the Head of State did not touch on developments regarding any possible renewal of the agreement.

Since making its return to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence, the Safari Rally has regained its reputation as one of the most iconic and demanding races in global motorsport. Following its comeback, Kenya secured hosting rights through a deal with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to stage the rally as part of the WRC until 2026.

The agreement was initially signed for five years before being extended by an additional year to include the 2026 edition, given that the return was pushed forward by a year from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, numerous media reports suggest the government has since reopened negotiations aimed at securing another five-year extension.

Beyond motorsport, the rally continues to play a major role in Kenya’s sports tourism sector, delivering significant economic activity for traders and businesses, particularly in Nakuru County.

President William Ruto joins the WRC Safari Rally 2026 winners in celebrating their victory on March 15, 2026. /PCS