The Government entered into a new strategic partnership with the private sector to deliver the sixth edition of the WRC Safari Rally in 2026, marking a major shift in the management and commercialization of one of Kenya’s premier global sporting events.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya announced the breakthrough, terming it a monumental step in actualizing President William Ruto’s vision of fully commercializing sports and expanding private sector participation in the country’s sports ecosystem.
Under the new framework, the private sector will take the lead role in the coordination and execution of the 2026 rally.
A restructured administrative model has been established to align operations with the partnership, paving the way for greater efficiency and sustainability.
Mvurya said the new arrangement will significantly ease the Government’s annual financial burden in hosting the globally acclaimed motorsport event.
The move is expected to free up substantial public resources, which will now be redirected towards developing and strengthening other sporting disciplines across the country.
“The Government has already settled the promoter’s fee for the event to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted preparations,” he said, reassuring stakeholders that Kenya remains fully committed to delivering a world-class rally.
As part of the transition, WRC Safari Rally Project CEO Charles Gacheru, gazetted and seconded officers serving in the project secretariat, as well as personnel under ongoing contractual engagements, will be reassigned back to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.
They will continue serving until the conclusion of their respective contractual terms.
Mvurya assured Kenyans, partners, and global motorsport enthusiasts that preparations for the 2026 edition have been finalized, with the country fully ready to host another thrilling spectacle in Naivasha.
The Safari Rally has in recent years cemented Kenya’s position on the global motorsport map, attracting thousands of local and international fans while boosting tourism, hospitality, and local businesses.
The CS invited Kenyans and rally fans from around the world to converge in Naivasha for what he described as a “bigger, better, and more electrifying” edition of the rally that continues to redefine Kenya’s sporting excellence and global stature.
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