The 2026 Safari Rally Kenya took a dramatic turn on Saturday after rally leader Oliver Solberg and second-placed Sébastien Ogier were both forced out before reaching the mid-day service in Naivasha.
The pair had successfully completed the demanding Sleeping Warrior stage but encountered mechanical problems while driving back to service on the liaison section.
Solberg’s Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Yaris Rally1 developed a transmission fault, while Ogier’s car stopped with an apparent alternator failure.
Their exits came shortly after another setback for Toyota when championship leader Elfyn Evans retired earlier on the same stage due to damage to the rear-right suspension while running near the front of the rally.
The sequence of problems within a short period effectively wiped out Toyota’s commanding grip at the top of the leaderboard.
Conditions on the Sleeping Warrior stage were particularly harsh, with deep mud and water splashes creating serious challenges for crews.
Solberg had struggled through the section after his car ran out of windscreen washer fluid, leaving him with limited visibility in the muddy conditions.
Ogier, meanwhile, had been pushing hard to close the gap at the front and even posted the fastest time on the stage before his rally came to an abrupt end on the road section.
According to Toyota deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen, thick mud entering the engine compartment contributed to the mechanical failures.
“The stage was extremely muddy and the mud got into the engine area, damaging the alternator on both cars,” Kankkunen explained.
The drama elevated Takamoto Katsuta to the top of the standings. The Japanese driver had earlier opted for a cautious approach after suffering tyre damage during the morning stages.
Katsuta now leads the rally by over a minute ahead of Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT as crews regroup at the Naivasha service park.
With the rally entering its decisive stages, the latest setbacks once again underline the unforgiving nature of the Safari Rally widely regarded as one of the toughest events on the World Rally Championship calendar.
