Local drivers seek to impress at next month's WRC Safari Rally

Paraplegic rally driver Nikhil Sachania with Sports CS Salim Mvurya/ TEDDY MULEI 

The 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya promises another brutal test of endurance, speed and survival when the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship roars across the Rift Valley from March 12–15.

Known as the toughest event on the calendar, the Safari blends high-speed plains, rocky tracks, deep fesh-fesh and unpredictable weather, making reliability just as important as outright pace.

For Kenyan fans, the spotlight will once again be on the homegrown crews hoping to shine against the world’s elite.

Leading the local charge is Karan Patel, who returns in a Škoda Fabia Rally2 with co-driver Tauseef Khan. Patel has been one of the most consistent Kenyan drivers in recent seasons and will be targeting a strong finish in both WRC2 and the African Rally Championship (ARC) classifications.

Multiple national champion Carl Tundo, partnered by Tim Jessop in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, brings vast Safari experience. Tundo’s knowledge of the terrain and rally management skills make him one of the most dangerous local contenders, especially if conditions turn harsh.

Young talents will also be out to impress. Jeremiah Wahome, co-driven by Victor Okundi in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, continues his steady rise in international rallying. He will be joined by Samman Singh Vohra, Ishmael Azeli, Aakif Virani and Issa Amwari, all entered in Rally2 machinery and aiming for strong finishes in both WRC2 and ARC standings.

In the Rally3 class, Nikhil Sachania flies the Kenyan flag in a Ford Fiesta Rally3, targeting points in WRC3 and ARC3.

The national and ARC categories also feature a strong Kenyan presence, including Joseph Gachecheh, Evans Nzioka, Sameer Nanji, Harpreet Singh Bhogal, Tinashe Gatimu, Pauline Sheghu and Lisa Christoffersen, among others. For many of them, simply finishing the Safari will be a major achievement given the rally’s punishing reputation.

At the front of the field, the Rally1 category features a stacked lineup from the three factory teams.

Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT arrives as the team to beat, fielding a formidable trio led by eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier alongside title contender Elfyn Evans and rising star Oliver Solberg. Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and Finland’s Sami Pajari add further depth to Toyota’s lineup.

Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team counters with defending world champion Thierry Neuville, joined by Adrien Fourmaux and experienced Finn Esapekka Lappi.

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team fields the Ford Puma Rally1 with Irish drivers Joshua McErlean and Jon Armstrong.

Unlike most WRC rounds, the Safari is rarely decided by outright speed alone. Tyre management, mechanical sympathy and smart driving often determine the final result. Sudden rain can turn fast gravel roads into mud traps, while hidden rocks and deep ruts can destroy suspensions within seconds.

This unique mix of speed and survival gives local drivers a realistic chance to shine, especially if the rally turns into a war of attrition.

For Kenyan fans, the dream will be to see one of their own climb the leaderboard, while the world’s best once again attempt to conquer the legendary African classic.