President William Ruto says Kenya will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in 2027, with the event set to return to Naivasha.
“The Safari Rally stays home,” Ruto said in a statement on Thursday. He said the world’s top drivers would again compete on Kenya’s plains, valleys and roads around Naivasha.
The President thanked the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, private-sector partners, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the WRC Promoter for securing the event.
Ruto said the rally brings visitors to the country, supports hotels and businesses and showcases Kenya internationally. His statement did not give dates for the 2027 event or details of the hosting agreement.
2027 calendar was still pending
The announcement follows uncertainty over whether the rally would remain on the WRC calendar after 2026. Earlier on Thursday, The Star reported that the WRC Promoter had not yet released the 2027 calendar, while the government and Motorsport Kenya Federation were working to retain the event and secure a new deal.
The Safari Rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after its previous run ended in 2002.
Ruto’s statement confirms Kenya’s intention to host the rally next year, although the WRC’s official 2027 calendar and the terms of the hosting agreement were not included in the announcement.
