Sports CS Salim Mvurya (R) with WRC Safari Rally CEO Carl Tundo/ HANDOUTKenya is confident of retaining the iconic Safari Rally on the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar in 2027, with the Government and Motorsport Kenya Federation (MK-F) stepping up efforts to secure a new deal with the championship promoter.
The optimism followed a consultative meeting between MK-F and the Ministry of Sports, led by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, where preparations for the 2027 Safari Rally and the long-term development of Kenyan motorsport were discussed.
Mvurya said the meeting focused on preparations for the event as Kenya seeks to extend its presence on the WRC calendar beyond the current agreement. “I held consultative discussions with the newly registered Motorsport Kenya Federation (MK-F) on preparations for the iconic WRC Safari Rally,” Mvurya said.
The WRC promoter is yet to unveil the 2027 calendar, with competition for places on the global series expected to remain intense. Rally Scotland is set to join the 2027 championship, while an event in the United States is awaiting final confirmation.
Portugal, meanwhile, has been dropped from the proposed calendar. Kenya returned to the WRC in 2021 after nearly two decades of absence. Before returning, Safari had been removed from the championship after 2002 because of financial, logistical and safety concerns.
The event was originally part of the inaugural WRC season in 1973 and remained one of the championship's toughest and most distinctive rounds before its exclusion. Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi had earlier said the Government had submitted a bid for a five-year extension of Kenya's WRC hosting rights.
“Kenya has been hosting the WRC Safari Rally for the past six years. Last year we had a very successful event,” Mwangi said. “We submitted a bid, and we understand Kenya has been considered for the next five years.”
Beyond the WRC, Mvurya said the discussions with MK-F aim to develop a sustainable motorsport structure in Kenya. “More importantly, our talks also focused on the Federation’s long-term vision for the growth and development of motorsport in Kenya,” he said.
He said the Government would support efforts to grow talent and strengthen Kenya's competitiveness on the international stage. “The Government is committed to building a strong and sustainable motorsport ecosystem, from grassroots talent identification and development to strengthening Kenya’s competitiveness at the highest levels of international motorsport.”
Safari Rally CEO Carl Tundo welcomed the Government's continued support, saying cooperation would be necessary as MK-F seeks to rebuild the sport.
“We would like to thank the Government, the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary for their continued support and commitment towards seeing motorsport regain its place in Kenya,” Tundo said.
Tundo said developing the sport from the grassroots would be critical to producing a new generation of Kenyan rally drivers. “There is a lot of work to be done, but we believe that with the right structure, investment and cooperation, we can rebuild the sport from the grassroots upwards.”
