Safari Rally Kenya set to remain on WRC calendar after 2026

Will the Safari Rally Kenya still be on the calendar? WRC After 2026? It's highly likely. The Kenyan event, the only round to take place on the African continent in the World Rally Championship, is coming to the end of its contract next year (with a one-year extension on the initial five-year contract, running until 2026). Nevertheless, both parties seem to agree to continue the adventure and sign a new contract extension in the near future.

William Ruto, the President of Kenya, is keen to keep the event going and has even made a personal commitment to achieving this, having had the opportunity to take a first ride with Pierre-Louis Loubet in 2023. Last Saturday, Salim Mvurya – Kenya's Secretary of State for Youth, Creative Economy and Sports – assured that the Kenyan government was working to keep the Safari Rally on the WRC calendar in the coming years.

“Kenya is the capital of rally in Africa and even if 2026 is approaching, we are ready to continue, said Salim Mvurya on the sidelines of the Safari Rally 2025, which took place from March 20 to 23. That's why, as a government and with all partners, we're doing our part to ensure we continue. You won't find this combination, these extraordinary venues, this exciting diversity in any other part of Africa. The rally-friendly environment is spectacular. So the Kenyan government is ready to move forward to continue hosting the WRC and inviting more private sector representatives, so that in the future, more private sector participation will be possible."

For its part, the discipline also seems inclined to keep the Safari on the World Championship calendar. However, this contract extension should be accompanied by investments and actions on the ground to "modernize" the event in terms of infrastructure, such as road repairs or the design of a service park that can accommodate spectators, which is not the case today.

Kenya is the rally capital of Africa and even though 2026 is coming we are ready to go on. @Waziri_Mvurya declare that Kenya is ready to push on and ensure that we continue to host the WRC event past 2026.#WRC | #SafariRallyKenya

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- Safari Rally Kenya (@wrcsafarirally) March 22, 2025

The Safari, a unique rally in the WRC

Returning to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence, the Safari Rally Kenya is now firmly established in the world rally scene. Now held in March, the African event offers a unique setting and exceptional conditions, ranging from heat to heavy rain, passing through trails that are sometimes muddy, sometimes arid, sometimes rocky. The 2025 edition was no exception, with an even more extreme route and conditions that brought back fond memories of the original Safari, which was organized over several thousand kilometers in the XNUMXth century.

The Safari Rally is also one of the most popular among drivers and fans due to its complexity, scenery, and history. It is also highly valued by the local population, with large crowds at the service park in Naivasha. "We are on the third day of this motorsport competition and I am very happy with the turnout of spectators. A large number of Kenyans and international visitors flocked to the various stations, Salim Mvurya had stressed last Saturday. It was a tough rally, some areas were wet and others dry, a good combination. It was a well-organized event and everything went smoothly."

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