NAIVASHA, Kenya — President Ruto has announced that the government will stop using public funds to promote and host the Safari Rally Kenya starting next year, shifting the responsibility for financing the iconic motorsport event to the private sector.
Speaking Sunday during the closing ceremony of this year’s rally in Naivasha, the president said the government would redirect the resources previously used to support the event to other sectors, particularly sports development in schools.
“This is the last Safari Rally where we will be spending public money to promote. From next year, this event will be fully funded and supported by the private sector,” Ruto said.
“The resources we have as a government will now be used to promote sports in our schools and other spheres,” he added.
Shift to private sector support
The announcement marks a major policy shift in the management and financing of one of Kenya’s most internationally recognised sporting events.
Earlier, the Ministry of Sports indicated that it had signed agreements with private sector partners to play a greater role in organising the 2026 rally, part of efforts to reduce the government’s financial burden in hosting global sporting events.
The rally forms part of the World Rally Championship calendar governed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.
Future of Kenya’s WRC slot
Kenya returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence, reviving the Safari Rally’s reputation as one of the toughest and most iconic events in global motorsport.
The country initially secured hosting rights through an agreement with the FIA covering five years, which was later extended by an additional year to include the 2026 rally.
However, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential five-year extension that would keep the rally on the WRC calendar beyond 2026.
