Kenya’s Sports Ministry Cedes WRC Safari Rally 2026 Lead Role
The Ministry of Sports has announced that it has inked a new agreement that would see the private sector take the lead in coordinating the WRC.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 24, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya stated that the new arrangement aims to reduce the government’s financial burden when hosting worldwide events.
Ahead of the surrendering of functions, the government announced that the promoter’s fee for the event had already been settled to enable the smooth development of the event, which is scheduled for March 12-15.
“While this landmark partnership heralds a new era for motorsport in Kenya, it will significantly ease the Government’s annual financial commitment to the WRC event,” Mvurya stated.
PRESS STATEMENT; 2026 WRC SAFARI RALLY pic.twitter.com/Ea1ZrB1p6h
— H.E Salim_Mvurya, EGH. (@Waziri_Mvurya) February 24, 2026
“In this regard, I wish to reassure Kenyans, stakeholders, partners, and motorsport fans that preparations for the WRC Safari Rally 2026 have been finalised, and our country is fully ready to host yet another thrilling global motorsport spectacle,” he added.
Effectively, the CEO and other executives from the WRC Safari Rally Project Secretariat have been shifted to the Ministry of Sports to continue their duties till the event.
Mvurya believes that the new framework would be critical in guaranteeing the full commercialisation of the country’s sports and sporting assets, which is consistent with President William Ruto’s strategic plan to boost economic growth.
Since Kenya’s return to the World Rally Championship schedule in 2021, the government has taken the lead in arranging the event through the WRC Safari Rally Project Secretariat.
The state was in charge of planning, security, infrastructure renovations, logistics, and paying the annual promoter’s fee to the WRC rights holder, all of which will now be passed to the private sector.
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While corporate sponsors and private firms were involved in areas such as branding, hospitality, and local logistics, they played a more supportive rather than managerial role.
The event is set to be held in Naivasha, a town that has become synonymous with the iconic motorsport over the years.
The town is iconic due to scenic landscapes and expansive rally routes that provide an ideal environment to test the prowess of rally drivers.
For years, the event has stood out as a major tourist attraction, attracting thousands of visitors, not only from Kenya but from across the world, in turn boosting the local economy.
Kenya’s Sports Ministry Cedes WRC Safari Rally 2026 Lead Role
