East Africa’s premier motorsport spectacle, the WRC Safari Rally, is gearing up for an extended stay on the global stage.
Kenya’s Ministry of Sports has officially submitted a bid for a five-year contract extension to continue hosting a round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) beyond the current cycle.
Speaking in Nairobi on the country’s strategic preparations, Kenya’s Sports Principal Secretary (PS) Elijah Mwangi disclosed that the government and private sector stakeholders are uniting to make the upcoming March 2027 event the biggest edition yet. “We are preparing to have another bigger rallying event in March 2027 that will be supported by the government and private sector. We have already submitted our request for an extension of the contract to continue hosting WRC in Kenya,” stated PS Elijah Mwangi.
Since returning to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year hiatus, the Safari Rally has stood out as the ultimate endurance test on the global circuit.
For rally enthusiasts and drivers across East Africa—including Ugandan rally crews who regularly cross the border to compete on the world stage—a extended contract secures the region’s position as a hub for international motorsport.
Under the current management structure, the event relies heavily on private sector execution paired with full government support for safety, infrastructure, and international logistics.
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If approved by the FIA and WRC Promoter, the five-year extension will lock in the Safari Rally on the world calendar through the late 2020s, ensuring that East African rally fans continue to experience world-class motorsport right on their doorstep.
