Evans to lead star-studded field as 70 crews confirmed for Safari Rally

President William Ruto hands trophies to Elfyn Evans and his navigator Scott Martin after their 2025 WRC Safari Rally win/ HANDOUT

Reigning champion Elfyn Evans is set to storm back into Naivasha’s punishing terrain, headlining a stacked international field as Kenya prepares for another blockbuster edition of the WRC Safari Rally.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi confirmed that the Briton will return to defend the crown he won decisively last year, conquering the brutal stages in a cumulative time of 4:20:03.8. Hyundai’s Ott Tänak followed in 4:21:13.7, with teammate Thierry Neuville completing the podium in 4:23:35.8.

Evans’ dominant Safari display, combined with victory in Sweden and a string of podium finishes, powered him to second overall in the 2025 WRC standings with 289 points.

Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate Sébastien Ogier ultimately snatched the title with 293 points, while former Safari champion Kalle Rovanperä finished third on 256.

Mwangi revealed that 70 crews have already confirmed participation for this year’s spectacle. “Approximately 50 international and 20 local teams have confirmed their participation for this year’s Safari Rally,” Mwangi said. “This includes global manufacturer outfits like Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hyundai and M-Sport Ford.”

Among the headline acts will be Evans alongside Ogier and Neuville. “Star drivers like Sébastien, Thierry, and the WRC Safari Rally defending champion Evans will be at this year’s event,” he added.

Kenya’s charge will be spearheaded by two-time African Rally champion Karan Patel, backed by KCB, as he seeks to challenge the world’s elite on home soil.

Mwangi underscored the Safari Rally’s growing global stature, noting that Kenya has been hosting the event for a sixth consecutive year since its reinstatement to the WRC calendar.

“The Safari Rally has captured the world’s imagination and has been hailed as one of the most challenging and spectacular rallies globally,” he said.

The numbers back that claim. In 2025, the rally attracted over 400,000 fans — the largest in-person attendance since its return — while global broadcasts reached 120 million viewers.

The 2026 WRC season began on January 22–25 at Rallye Monte-Carlo, where Sweden’s Oliver Solberg claimed victory in 4:24:59.0 to take an early championship lead with 30 points.

Evans sits second on 26 after finishing runner-up in Monaco (4:25:50.8), while Ogier is third on 18 following his 4:27:01.2 podium run. With the title race already tightening, the championship now heads to Rally Sweden before shifting to Kenya, where the dust, drama and raw endurance of the Safari Rally promise another defining chapter in the 2026 season.