After 8 Years, World Rally Championship May Leave Kenya for Scotland in 2027

Safari Rally Kenya, one of Africa’s biggest motorsport events, could face an uncertain future in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Talks are still going on between event organizers and the WRC management about whether Kenya will remain on the calendar after 2026.

The current agreement between Kenya and the WRC ended recently, with only a one-year extension allowing the 2026 rally to take place. This short extension already showed that changes were coming.

President William Ruto has made it clear that the government plans to step back from directly funding the event. He announced that 2026 will be the last year public money will be used to support Safari Rally. From 2027 onwards, the event is expected to rely fully on private companies.

According to the president, government funds will instead be directed to other areas like school sports and youth development.

While this move may help improve education and grassroots sports, many believe Safari Rally has been a major boost to Kenya’s economy. The event attracts thousands of visitors, bringing business to places like Nairobi and Naivasha.

Since its return to the WRC calendar, Safari Rally Kenya has been considered a big success. Many people doubted whether such a tough and traditional rally could fit into modern WRC standards. However, organizers managed to maintain its unique style while meeting international requirements.

WRC officials have also supported the idea of moving the event to private management. They believe governments should focus on providing support services like security, medical teams, and infrastructure, rather than running the event directly.

Companies such as SportPesa, Safaricom, and KCB Bank have already shown interest in supporting the rally financially. This could help build a more sustainable model where the private sector takes the lead, while the government plays a supporting role.

Even with these efforts, no final agreement has been reached for 2027. WRC organizers have hinted that if Kenya does not secure a deal soon, they may consider other countries interested in hosting the event.

With new locations like Scotland already confirmed for future seasons and other countries competing for a place, time is running out for Kenya to secure its spot.

For now, Safari Rally Kenya remains at a critical point. The next few months will determine whether it continues as part of the WRC or takes a different path altogether.