Kenya will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in 2027, President William Ruto has said.
In a post on X, Ruto said the event would return to Kenya, with drivers expected to compete on roads around Naivasha.
“The Safari was born on Kenyan soil. It belongs on Kenyan soil,” Ruto said.
He said the rally contributes to the hospitality and business sectors and promotes Kenya internationally.
“Every edition fills our hotels, energises our businesses and carries the beauty of our country to screens across the world,” he said.
Ruto thanked the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, private-sector partners, the FIA and WRC Promoter for their role in securing the 2027 event.
“Tutaonana Naivasha!” he said.
The 2027 WRC calendar features 15 rounds across five continents, making it one of the championship's most geographically diverse schedules.
The season will open with Rallye Monte-Carlo in Monaco from January 21 to 24 before moving to Sweden for Rally Sweden, scheduled for February 18 to 21.
Kenya will host the third round from March 18 to 21, with the Safari Rally expected to showcase the country's distinctive terrain and attract international competitors and spectators.
The championship will then move to Croatia from April 8 to 11, followed by Spain's Rally Islas Canarias from May 6 to 9.
Japan will host the sixth round from June 3 to 6, while Greece's EKO Acropolis Rally is scheduled for June 24 to 27.
Italy will stage Rally d'Italia from July 8 to 11, followed by Rally Estonia from July 22 to 25.
Finland's Secto Rally Finland will take place from July 29 to August 1, before the championship heads to the United States for Rally USA from August 26 to 29.
The United Kingdom will host Rally Scotland from September 30 to October 3, followed by Paraguay's Ueno Rally del Paraguay from October 21 to 24.
Chile will stage Rally Chile BioBío from November 4 to 7, with Saudi Arabia hosting the season's final round from November 25 to 28.
