Preparations for the Safari Rally Kenya are gathering pace after CFAO Mobility Kenya announced a Sh48,535,200 sponsorship package to support the organisation of the 2026 event and the development of future rally talent.
The Safari Rally is one of the most demanding rounds of the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar, attracting elite drivers and teams from across the globe to Kenya’s rugged rally stages.
The latest investment brings CFAO Mobility Kenya’s total contribution to the Safari Rally to more than Sh153 million over the past six years, underscoring the company’s continued support for the event and the wider motorsport ecosystem in the country.
Boost for Kenya’s rally development
Speaking during the official cheque handover ceremony, CFAO Mobility Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel said the company’s involvement goes beyond funding the annual rally competition.
“Our commitment goes beyond sponsorship. We are investing in the growth of motorsports and will continue to champion initiatives that nurture young talent and elevate Kenya’s rally standing on the global stage,” he said.
As part of the initiative, the company has donated two specially built Toyota Starlet rally cars to support the Safari Rally Training School Project, a programme designed to develop future Kenyan rally drivers.
The FIA-homologated vehicles, developed in collaboration with Kenyan engineers and technicians, meet Rally5 international rallying standards and were built for Sh34.5 million. The cars were officially presented earlier this week to the Government of Kenya at the State House.
Grassroots motorsport programme
CFAO Mobility Kenya has also backed the development of a prototype Cross Car designed for junior drivers aged between 12 and 17.
Built locally to Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) standards for Sh3.7 million, the vehicle is intended to provide young drivers with an accessible entry point into competitive rallying.
For the first time in Kenya, the Cross Car will be used within a structured grassroots motorsport development programme targeting emerging talent.
To strengthen driver training, CFAO Mobility Kenya has partnered with Botterill Motor Sport of South Africa to develop a rally training curriculum. A specialised training camp for local drivers and navigators will be conducted before the curriculum is handed over to the Safari Rally secretariat to support continued development.
Rally excitement builds
As anticipation builds ahead of the 2026 rally, fans recently had the opportunity to meet members of the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT team during an exclusive fan engagement session.
Drivers present included current championship leader Elfyn Evans, winner of the 2025 Safari Rally and a recent victor at Rally Sweden, as well as rising Finnish driver Sami Pajari.
Also attending the event was Toyota Gazoo Racing Deputy Team Principal and rally legend Juha Kankkunen, a former Safari Rally champion who won the historic race in 1985.
Government backs grassroots rally talent
Elijah Mwangi, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports, welcomed the investment in grassroots motorsport development.
“I would like to commend CFAO Mobility Kenya for its investment in strengthening grassroots motorsport in the country. Their donation of two Toyota Starlets, support in developing the Rally Academy training curriculum, and commitment to producing Kenya’s first affordable FIA Cross Car are important steps toward building local motorsport talent and technical capacity,” he said.
Mwangi added that collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) could further support skills development and strengthen local automotive manufacturing capacity.
CFAO Mobility Kenya also continues to support rally operations, with the Toyota Hilux serving as the “double zero” and “triple zero” safety cars that run ahead of competitors to assess rally stage conditions before the race begins.