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William Ruto has announced that the Kenyan government will no longer finance the Safari Rally Kenya starting next year, marking a shift in how the globally recognised motorsport event will be funded.
Speaking on Sunday, March 15, during the closing ceremony of this year’s rally in Naivasha, the president said the government will end the use of public funds to promote the competition.
He noted that the responsibility for financing and promoting the rally will be transferred entirely to private sector partners.
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“This is the last Safari Rally where we will be spending public money to promote it. From next year, the event will be fully funded and supported by the private sector,” Ruto said.
The announcement follows an earlier statement by the Ministry of Sports, Kenya indicating that it had partnered with private sector players to take a leading role in organising the recently concluded World Rally Championship round in Kenya. The ministry said the arrangement is aimed at easing the financial burden on the government when hosting international events.
Ruto’s remarks also come as discussions continue regarding Kenya’s future participation in the WRC calendar, with the current hosting agreement nearing its end.
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The Safari Rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence and has since remained one of the most recognised and challenging rallies in the championship.
Kenya secured hosting rights for the rally after reaching an agreement with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile to include the event in the championship calendar until 2026. The initial agreement covered five years before being extended by an additional year to include the 2026 edition.
Reports indicate that negotiations are ongoing between the government and FIA officials over a possible five-year extension of the hosting deal.
The rally remains an important event for Kenya’s sports tourism sector, attracting thousands of spectators and creating business opportunities for traders and hospitality operators, particularly in Nakuru County.
