Kenya will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in 2027 after the country was retained on the championship calendar for another edition.
The 2027 WRC calendar, which features 15 rounds across five continents, shows that the Safari Rally will take place in Kenya from March 18 to 21, 2027.
President William Ruto welcomed the development, saying the return of the global motorsport event to Kenya would provide another opportunity for the country to showcase its landscapes and tourism attractions to an international audience.
Taking to social media on Thursday, Ruto said the world’s top rally drivers would once again compete across Kenya.
“Once again, the world’s finest drivers will take on our plains, our valleys and the legendary roads of Naivasha,” Ruto said.
The President said the Safari Rally had deep roots in Kenya and remained an important sporting and tourism event for the country.
“The Safari was born on Kenyan soil. It belongs on Kenyan soil. Every edition fills our hotels, energises our businesses and carries the beauty of our country to screens across the world,” he stated.
According to the 2027 calendar, the Safari Rally will be the third round of the championship.
The season will begin with Rallye Monte-Carlo from January 21 to 24, followed by Rally Sweden from February 18 to 21.
Kenya will then host the third round from March 18 to 21 before the championship moves to Croatia for the fourth round from April 8 to 11.
Other countries on the 2027 calendar include Spain, Japan, Greece, Italy, Estonia, Finland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Paraguay, Chile and Saudi Arabia.
The calendar will conclude with the Rally Saudi Arabia from November 25 to 28.
The Safari Rally has become one of Kenya’s major international sporting events, attracting global attention to Naivasha and surrounding areas.
The event brings together international drivers, teams, spectators and motorsport enthusiasts while providing opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other businesses.
Ruto said the event also helps promote Kenya’s beauty to audiences around the world.
He thanked the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, private-sector partners, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the WRC Promoter for their role in securing the 2027 edition.
“I thank the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, our private-sector partners, the FIA and the WRC Promoter for making this possible,” Ruto stated.
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