Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will on Thursday officially flag off the 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya at the Wildlife Training and Research Institute (WTRI) Service Park in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The four-day rally, which forms the third round of the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar, will conclude on Sunday with President William Ruto presiding over the official closing ceremony at Hell’s Gate National Park.
This will be the sixth edition of the Safari Rally since its return to the global championship in 2021, with all stages set to run within and around the lakeside town of Naivasha in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, about 91 kilometres from Nairobi.
Kenya ready for global rally showpiece
Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi confirmed the country’s readiness to host the prestigious motorsport event after conducting a final inspection of the WTRI Service Park and rally infrastructure on Wednesday.
He urged fans to turn out in large numbers for the ceremonial flag-off and the rally stages over the weekend.
Mwangi also revealed that more than 1,050 security officers and nearly 400 marshals will be deployed to ensure safety for drivers, officials, media and spectators during the rally. Authorities have appealed to fans to follow safety guidelines issued by marshals and security teams.
Push for new WRC contract
The PS also disclosed that Kenya is close to securing a new five-year contract with the WRC promoter to keep the Safari Rally on the global championship calendar.
From this year, the organisation of the rally will be managed through a public-private partnership, with the government providing infrastructure, security and promoter fees, while corporate partners support event management and other operational aspects.
Tundo confident despite challenges
Newly appointed Safari Rally CEO Carl Tundo said preparations have faced some challenges, including difficult weather conditions, but organisers are confident the event will run smoothly.
Tundo, a five-time Safari Rally winner during its Africa Rally Championship era, called on fans to attend the rally and experience the action in Naivasha.
Rally action begins Thursday
Competition will start Thursday morning with a 6.31km shakedown stage at Nawisa from 8:00am local time before the ceremonial start at the WTRI Service Park at 3:00pm.
Drivers will then tackle the first two competitive stages — Camp Moran 1 (24.35km) and Mzabibu 1 (8.86km) — offering an early glimpse of the demanding terrain awaiting crews in this year’s Safari Rally.
A total of 20 stages will be contested over the four-day rally as the world’s top drivers battle for victory in one of the toughest events on the WRC calendar.
