President William Ruto has signaled a major shift for one of Kenya’s most prestigious international sporting events. During the closing ceremony in Naivasha on Sunday, March 15, he announced that the government will stop promoting and funding the iconic Safari Rally starting next year.
The head of state explained that the competition will transition entirely to private sector management and financing.
“This is the last Safari Rally where we will be spending public money to promote it. From next year, this event will be fully funded and supported by the private sector,” Ruto stated.
By stepping back from the rally’s balance sheet, the government plans to redirect those millions into the education system. Officials intend to use the savings to boost school budgets and support sports and other talent development programs across the country.
President Ruto further explained that the government will redirect its resources to nourish talent in local schools and other sporting arenas.
The Ministry of Sports recently announced a deal with private partners to handle the coordination of the 2026 event. The Ministry made it clear before the rally even started that this partnership aims to relieve the taxpayer of the heavy financial burden of hosting global spectacles.
The timing of the president’s exit plan is critical. Kenya is currently in the final year of its hosting contract, and discussions are underway to decide whether the Safari Rally will stay on the World Rally Championship calendar. While the government is pushing for a five-year extension, it is clear that the future of the rally depends on a new model where private companies, rather than the state, lead the way.
Since returning to the global stage in 2021 after nearly two decades away, the Safari Rally has reclaimed its title as one of the most grueling and legendary challenges in motorsport.
Upon its return, Kenya locked in a hosting agreement with the International Federation of Automobile (FIA) to keep the Safari Rally on the WRC calendar through 2026. While the original contract spanned five years, the parties later added an extra year to include the current 2026 race. Behind the scenes, the government is reportedly back at the table, pushing for another five-year extension to secure the event’s future.
Beyond the high-speed thrills, the rally remains a vital engine for Kenya’s economy. It draws massive crowds that pour money into the pockets of local traders and the tourism sector, particularly in Nakuru County.
President Ruto also promised that the notorious gridlock on the Nairobi-Naivasha highway will soon become a thing of the past for rally fans. He committed to finishing the dualling of the Rironi-Nakuru stretch of the Rironi-Mau Summit road by next year to ensure a smoother flow of traffic.
“We assure Kenyans that this will be the last Safari Rally they have had to endure traffic congestion on the Nairobi-Naivasha highway. By next year, the government will have completed the dualling of the Rironi-Nakuru section of the Rironi-Mau Summit road,” Ruto stated.
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