Safari Rally Kenya Confirmed on 2027 WRC Calendar
Ruto announced the confirmation on Wednesday, saying the iconic rally would remain in Kenya and return to the roads around Naivasha in March 2027.
President William Ruto confirms that Kenya will host the Safari Rally in the 2027 World Rally Championship season, with the iconic event returning to Naivasha in March 2027. Photo: AutoHebdo.
By Robert Mutasi
President William Ruto has confirmed that Kenya will host the Safari Rally in the 2027 World Rally Championship season, ending uncertainty over the event’s future on the international calendar.
Ruto announced the confirmation on Wednesday, saying the iconic rally would remain in Kenya and return to the roads around Naivasha in March 2027.
“The Safari Rally stays home. I am delighted to confirm that Kenya will host the WRC Safari Rally in 2027,” Ruto said.
He said the event remains an important platform for promoting Kenya’s tourism industry and supporting businesses across the country.
“The Safari was born on Kenyan soil. It belongs on Kenyan soil. Every edition fills our hotels, energises our businesses and carries the beauty of our country to screens across the world,” he said.
The 2027 FIA World Rally Championship calendar lists Kenya as the third round of the 15-round season, which will be held across five continents.
The Safari Rally Kenya is scheduled for March 18 to 21, 2027, following Rallye Monte-Carlo from January 21 to 24 and Rally Sweden from February 18 to 21.
The championship will then move to Croatia, Spain, Japan, Greece, Italy, Estonia, Finland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Paraguay, Chile and Saudi Arabia.
Ruto thanked the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, private-sector partners, the FIA and WRC Promoter for helping secure Kenya’s place on the 2027 calendar.
Kenya had been seeking a longer-term commitment to keep the Safari Rally in the WRC calendar, with the government highlighting the event’s contribution to tourism, hospitality and local businesses.
The rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence and has since regained its reputation as one of the championship’s toughest rounds. The Naivasha event is known for rough terrain, loose fesh-fesh, changing weather and wildlife areas that add to the challenge faced by drivers and teams.
Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta won the 2026 Safari Rally in March, securing his maiden WRC victory.
The 2027 edition will again bring some of the world’s leading rally drivers and teams to Kenya as the country prepares to host the championship’s third round.
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