Kenya hands sponsors bigger role in 2026 WRC Safari Rally shake-up

Through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, the government said the new arrangement is designed to ease the financial burden of hosting the rally while ensuring Kenya retains its place on the global motorsport calendar.

Under the revised model, businesses that have historically provided the bulk of the event’s funding will now play a closer role in day-to-day decision-making, particularly on budgeting and event delivery.

For years, the Safari Rally Project Secretariat has quietly handled much of the behind-the-scenes work, including coordinating logistics, managing staff and overseeing expenditure.

That structure is now being scaled back, with staff returning to the ministry as a new administrative framework is put in place.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed the changes in a statement on Tuesday, saying:

“The CEO, duly gazetted and seconded officers serving in the WRC Safari Rally Project Secretariat, as well as those with ongoing contractual engagements, will be reassigned back into the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports to serve until the conclusion of their respective contractual terms.”