CFAO Mobility Kenya on Sunday boosted the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally with a comprehensive sponsorship and development package of Sh48,535,200 to support the organisation.

This year's Safari Rally revs off on March 12-15 in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

The sponsorship further cements CFAO’s commitment to the development of motorsport in the country, with total investment exceeding Sh153 million since Safari Rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2021.

The partnership also reinforces Toyota’s enduring legacy and performance in the championship, with a record 12 championship titles across different eras of the WRC, including Group B and the current WRC Hybrid.

During the official cheque handover ceremony on Sunday, Arvinder Reel, Managing Director of CFAO Mobility Kenya, commented on CFAO’s long-term commitment to community development and grassroots motorsports. 

“Our commitment goes beyond sponsorship. We are investing in the growth of motorsports and will continue to champion initiatives that nurture young talent and elevate Kenya’s rally standing on the global stage," he said.

The sponsorship coincides with CFAO Mobility’s significant investment towards the Rally School, to nurture future talent in the sport through the donation of two rally cars to the Safari Rally Training School Project. 

The specially constructed and homologated FIA-approved Toyota Starlet cars, developed in collaboration with Kenyan automotive engineers and technicians in accordance with FIA Rally 5 international rallying standards, were built at a total cost of Sh34.5 million.

The two rally cars were officially presented on Monday to President William Ruto at State House, underscoring the country’s commitment to advancing and promoting motorsport development.

Additionally, CFAO has invested in the development of a prototype Cross Car designed for local junior rally drivers aged 12 to 17, aimed at nurturing the next generation of Kenyan rallying talent, from grassroot level.

As part of this initiative, CFAO Mobility Kenya recently completed a Sh3.7 million Cross Car built to FIA standards.

For the first time in Kenya, the Cross Car will be used to promote grassroots motorsport development among young drivers aged between 12 and 17 years old, creating a structured pathway for emerging rally talent.

“To enable growth of the sport in the country, we have also partnered with South Africa's Botterill Motor Sport to develop a rally training curriculum. A training camp will also be held for local drivers and navigators in addition to the handover of the new training curriculum to the Safari Rally secretariat to ensure continuation of the project post the rally.”

CFAO Mobility also hosted an exclusive meet-and-greet autograph session with current drivers from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team (TGR), a major highlight for fans. 

The Principal Secretary State Department for Sports, Elijah Mwangi also recognised CFAO Mobility Kenya for its significant contribution to the advancement of motorsport in Kenya.

“I would like to commend CFAO Mobility Kenya for their investment in strengthening grassroots motorsport in the country. Their donation of two Toyota Starlets, support in developing the Rally Academy training curriculum, and commitment to producing Kenya’s first affordable FIA Cross Car at the KVM plant are important steps toward building local motorsport talent and technical capacity. As we move forward, I encourage collaboration with The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) so that this initiative can also help build skills and expand local production capacity within the sector.”

Drivers in attendance were 2025 Safari Rally champion Elfyn Evans, the current championship leader, and winner of the recent Rally Sweden, Sami Pajari, the 24-year-old rising star representing the next generation of rally talent, and Deputy Team Principal, the legendary Juha Kankkunen who won Safari Rally in 1985.

Reel expressed his excitement regarding CFAO Mobility’s continued participation in the Safari Rally. He noted that the Toyota Hilux’s consistent role as the “double zero (00)” and “triple zero (000)” opening cars since the rally’s return to Kenya serves as a powerful endorsement. 

According to Reel, this selection underscores the Hilux’s demonstrated value proposition of Quality, Durability and Reliability.

Also present at the function was former Safari Rally champion Patrick Njiru and Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala.