Safari Rally Kenya’s place on the 2027 World Rally Championship calendar is under serious threat as organizers scramble to secure private funding to save the event.
According to a report by DirtFish, the crisis stems from a major shift in financial backing. Kenyan President William Ruto announced that the government will end public financing for the Naivasha-based event after the 2026 edition, shifting the entire financial burden to the private sector.
The fallout is already being felt at the top level. DirtFish reports that “the Kenyan issue is the only thing holding up the announcement of next year’s WRC calendar.”
FIA Wants Safari To Stay — But Needs Answers
Despite the uncertainty, support for Safari remains strong.
FIA Road Sport Director Emilia Abel expressed firm support for retaining the historic African rally, but stressed that a firm deadline is in place for organizers to provide certainty.
WRC Promoter COO Julien Vial delivered a similar message: the championship wants Kenya to remain on the calendar — but clarity and financial security are non-negotiable.
Iconic Event On The Brink
Safari Rally is one of the most iconic and demanding events in WRC history, with its return in 2021 celebrated as a major win for the sport in Africa.
But without quick private backing, that comeback could be short-lived.
No final decision has been announced — but unless the necessary funding is secured in the coming weeks, one of the WRC’s most beloved jewels could disappear from the 2027 calendar.
