Kenya has entered a strategic partnership with the private sector to host the sixth edition of the WRC Safari Rally 2026, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to commercialize sports and strengthen private-sector involvement.
In a statement issued on February 24, 2026, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, said the partnership “heralds a new era for motorsport in Kenya” while significantly reducing the Government’s annual financial commitment to the event.
The agreement is part of President William Ruto’s vision to fully commercialize sports and sporting assets in Kenya, encouraging private-sector investment in the country’s sports ecosystem.
“This breakthrough marks a monumental realization of the strategic vision of H.E. President William Ruto towards the full commercialization of sports and sporting assets, as well as enhanced private-sector participation in the growth and development of Kenya's sports ecosystem,” Mvurya stated.
Under the new framework, the private sector will take the lead in the coordination and execution of the WRC Safari Rally 2026, with a restructured administrative framework aligned to this model.
The Government has already settled the promoter’s fee, ensuring a smooth transition and uninterrupted preparations.
“Preparations for the WRC Safari Rally 2026 have been finalized, and our country is fully ready to host yet another thrilling global motorsport spectacle,” Mvurya reassured Kenyans, stakeholders, and motorsport fans.
The partnership also frees up substantial public resources, which can now be redirected to the development and strengthening of other sporting disciplines across the country.
Mvurya noted that the move “will significantly ease the Government's annual financial commitment to the WRC event,” emphasizing that it represents a sustainable model for future sports events in Kenya.
The Cabinet Secretary also confirmed that the CEO, gazetted officers, and staff serving in the WRC Safari Rally Project Secretariat, as well as those on ongoing contracts, will be reassigned back to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports until the conclusion of their terms.
Mvurya extended a personal invitation to Kenyans and motorsport enthusiasts worldwide to witness the event in Naivasha, promising a “bigger, better, and more electrifying rally event that continues to redefine Kenya's sporting excellence and global stature.”
With this strategic public-private partnership in place, Kenya is set to deliver a world-class motorsport spectacle while reinforcing the role of private investment in the growth of the country’s sporting sector.
This landmark collaboration positions the WRC Safari Rally not just as a premier sporting event but as a flagship model for sustainable sports commercialization and global competitiveness.
