The future of the Safari Rally Kenya on the World Rally Championship calendar is set to dominate discussions in the coming months after the current hosting contract expired this year, even as President William Ruto hailed the event’s global significance at the close of the 2026 edition.
Speaking during the closing ceremony in Naivasha on Sunday, Ruto praised the rally as a key showcase for Kenya and a sporting event that continues to draw regional support.
“The Safari Rally is part of Kenya’s sporting heritage and a global showcase for our country,” he said.
He said the presence of fans from across the East African Community had elevated the rally into a regional spectacle.
“The participation of fans from across the East African Community has elevated the Safari Rally into a truly regional event. Your presence shows the power of sport to bring East Africa together,” Ruto said.
The rally ended with Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston claiming a historic maiden WRC victory after four days of punishing racing across the Rift Valley.
Driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Katsuta inherited the lead during a chaotic Saturday morning on the punishing Sleeping Warrior stage after several frontrunners ran into trouble.
Team-mates Oliver Solberg, Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans all encountered setbacks on the demanding SS13 section and the transport stage that followed.
Katsuta, who had adopted a cautious approach as rivals faltered, carried an overnight lead of more than one minute and 25 seconds into the final day before nursing his GR Yaris Rally1 through Sunday’s four stages to secure victory by 27.4 seconds.
Tens of thousands of fans lined rally stages across the Great Rift Valley from the ceremonial flag-off to the finale at Hell’s Gate National Park, turning the event into a festival of motorsport.
Spectators gathered on rocky hilltops, plains and river crossings to watch drivers battle choking ‘fesh-fesh’ dust, rocky escarpments and muddy water crossings that have long defined the Safari Rally as one of the toughest rounds on the WRC calendar.
Local drivers also drew strong support from spectators across Naivasha and Elementaita.
Rally veteran Carl Tundo, now head of the Safari Rally secretariat, said the turnout demonstrated the rally’s enduring appeal.
“What we have witnessed this week – the crowds, the passion, the atmosphere – shows just how much this rally means to Kenya and to the entire East African region,” he said.
“Our focus now is to build on that momentum and continue raising the standard of the Safari Rally so that it grows even stronger for teams, fans and partners in the years ahead.”
SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri hailed the rally’s ability to unite fans across the continent.
“The Safari Rally is a celebration of Kenya, of Africa and of the incredible passion our people have for sport,” Karauri said.
He added: “The energy we’ve seen from fans this week shows why this rally deserves to remain a permanent fixture on the global motorsport calendar.”
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