Successful Safari Rally boosts Kenya’s profile and tourism prospects

President William Ruto on Sunday reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to keeping the iconic Safari Rally on the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar as the third round concluded in Naivasha, Nakuru County on Sunday.

He praised the Safari Rally as a key part of Kenya’s sporting heritage and an important platform for showcasing the country to the world. Ruto noted that the rally has grown beyond a national event to become a major regional spectacle attracting thousands of fans from across East Africa.

“The Safari Rally is part of Kenya’s sporting heritage and a global showcase for our country,” said President Ruto. He added that the presence of fans from across the East African Community demonstrates the power of sport to unite the region.

The four-day rally, held across the rugged landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, once again delivered dramatic action and drew tens of thousands of spectators who lined the stages from Naivasha to Elementaita. Fans gathered on hilltops, plains and river crossings to watch the world’s best rally drivers battle the punishing terrain that has made the Safari Rally one of the toughest events in global motorsport.

Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston claimed a historic first WRC victory after navigating the rally’s brutal conditions.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing pair took the lead after several frontrunners, including winners of the first two rounds Oliver Solberg (Monte-Carlo Rally) and Elfyn Evans (Rally Sweden), nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier and 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville dropped out during a chaotic Saturday stage at Sleeping Warrior.

Despite the drama on the course, the spotlight remained firmly on the event’s broader significance for Kenya and the region. President Ruto emphasized that the rally continues to elevate Kenya’s international profile while boosting tourism and regional unity through sport.

As the engines fell silent in Naivasha, attention turned to the future of the Safari Rally.

With the current WRC hosting contract expiring this year, discussions are expected to intensify on renewing Kenya’s place on the world championship calendar, an outcome many hope will be secured following another successful edition of the legendary rally.