East African motorsport fans have every reason to celebrate as Kenyan President William Ruto officially confirmed that the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally will remain on Kenyan soil for the 2027 season.
The announcement follows the release of the official 2027 FIA World Rally Championship Calendar, which features a grueling 15-round schedule across five continents.
Kenya will host the third leg of the global showcase from March 18th to 21st, 2027.
“It Belongs on Kenyan Soil”
Expressing his pride and excitement, President Ruto emphasized the deep-rooted heritage of the event, which has long been considered the ultimate test of man and machine in the rallying world.
“The Safari Rally stays home,” President Ruto stated. “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.”
The President extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, private-sector partners, the FIA, and the WRC Promoter for securing the event’s continuation.
He also highlighted the immense economic boost the rally brings to the region, noting how it fills local hotels, energizes businesses, and markets East Africa’s beauty to millions of viewers worldwide.
A Massive 2027 Global Calendar
The 2027 WRC season promises to be one of the most diverse and far-reaching in recent history, expanding to 15 rounds.
The championship kicks off in its traditional home of Monaco in January, passes through the snow-capped roads of Sweden in February, before heading south to Kenya for the first gravel event of the year in March.
Notably, the 2027 calendar sees the return and introduction of iconic rally destinations, including new stops like Rally US in August, a return to the United Kingdom (Rally Scotland) in late September, and a grand finale in Saudi Arabia come
For fans across the border in Uganda, the confirmation of the 2027 Safari Rally keeps world-class motorsport right on their doorstep.
Over the years, the Safari Rally has acted as a pilgrimage for Ugandan rally enthusiasts and drivers, who regularly make the trek across the border to witness the world’s best hybrid rally cars tear through the Great Rift Valley.
With the dates now locked in for March 2027, the countdown begins for another spectacular weekend of dust, speed, and adventure in Naivasha.
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