President William Ruto led Kenyans in welcoming the World Rally Championships (WRC) in Kenya come next year.
The President said that the iconic Safari Rally Kenya will remain a headline fixture on the WRC schedule through 2027, following the FIA World Motor Sport Council’s approval of an expanded 15-round global calendar.
Fellow citizens,
The Safari Rally stays home.
I am delighted to confirm that Kenya will host the WRC Safari Rally in 2027. Once again, the world’s finest drivers will take on our plains, our valleys and the legendary roads of Naivasha.
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.
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.
Tutaonana Naivasha!— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 8, 2026
Ruto celebrated the extension, highlighting both the sporting legacy and economic significance of hosting the event in Naivasha.
“Once again, the world’s finest drivers will take on our plains, our valleys, and the legendary roads of Naivasha,” Ruto said Every edition fills our hotels, energises our businesses, and carries the beauty of our country to screens across the world.”
“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.”
The WRC also makes a return to the United States and the United Kingdom where Kenya ended a 19-year hiatus when it rejoined the championship in 2021.
“The 2027 FIA World Rally Championship calendar reflects the strong momentum behind the WRC, with new events in the United Kingdom and Italy strengthening the Championship in countries with a proud rallying heritage, while the United States gives us an exciting opportunity to grow in a country where interest in rallying continues to rise,” Ben Sulayem stated “With the introduction of the WRC27 technical regulations, a new promoter thanks to the deal of the century that will bring long-term investment and ambition to the championship, and a strong global calendar, the future of rallying is extremely bright.