Charles Gacheru (L) with President William Ruto/ HANDOUTWorld Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally CEO Charles Gacheru has stepped down from his role, clearing the track for a new leadership outfit to take charge of one of the world’s most brutal and iconic rally spectacles.
Despite his contract running until January 2027, Gacheru has chosen to hand over the reins early, allowing an incoming team sufficient time to get up to speed and begin preparations for next year’s WRC Safari Rally. Gacheru was appointed CEO of the WRC Safari Rally on February 16, 2024, by then Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
He took over from Phineas Kimathi. Ahead of this year’s Safari Rally, speculation had swirled that Gacheru had been pushed out of his position following the private sector’s full sponsorship takeover of the event from the government.
However, the Ministry of Sports moved swiftly to clear the air, affirming that Gacheru remained the legitimate CEO, with his tenure still active until early next year.
Now, with the dust settled on the latest edition of the legendary rally, Gacheru has opted to vacate the hot seat. Reflecting on his tenure, Gacheru described steering the Safari Rally operation as navigating a high-pressure maze filled with unknowns. “Running the rally from 2024 to 2026 was like solving a constant jigsaw puzzle with many missing pieces whilst blindfolded.”
“Accepting that role led me down an unfamiliar path. Whilst I had a strong sports background and had attended all Safari Rally events since its return to the WRC calendar, I did not have much motorsports experience,” Gacheru admitted. He acknowledged stepping into unfamiliar terrain and being forced to master the intricacies of rallying at full throttle.
“I had a vague idea about how rally routes were marked and even less knowledge of how pace notes were read. I was new to FIA and WRC sporting codes and regulations; it was an extremely steep learning curve with very short timelines,” he admitted. Despite the demanding initiation, Gacheru pointed to key milestones achieved during his spell in charge.
“In 2024, I worked with the rally routes I found in place, but in 2025 and 2026, I led the team in mapping new routes and reversing existing routes. We introduced the Rally Village at Morendat, and it became the Safari Rally ‘paddock’, a vibrant rally viewing and entertainment hub.”
He maintained that the next administration will inherit a well-laid foundation on which to build. “I leave the WRC Safari Rally post having learnt a lot and am proud of the difference I was able to make.”
“The team that now takes over will be building on a firm foundation and solid ground. The Safari Rally belongs to the people of Kenya, and part of its commercialisation strategy must include a concession fee being paid by whoever takes over the running of the same,” Gacheru emphasised.
Gacheru exits with an agreement in principle already in place to extend the partnership between the Safari Rally and the WRC Promoter for another five years, covering the 2027–2031 cycle. However, the proposed extension remains on shaky ground.
With the current agreement expiring on June 15, the renewal faces a major hurdle due to unpaid 2025 WRC Promoter fees amounting to 3.775 million Euros (Sh567 million), casting uncertainty over the future of Kenya’s prized WRC round.
