WRC: Kenyan drivers ready for the Naivasha race thrill

Eighteen Kenyan drivers and 14 co-drivers will be among the 46 crews that will compete against a star-studded international field at the WRC Safari Rally Kenya, which will also serve as the first round of the Kenya National Rally Championship. The WRC Safari Rally Kenya will be held from March 12th to 15th in Naivasha.

Former Kenyan champion Jasmeet Chana, Pauline Sheghu and Lisa Christoffersen will be among the 46 cars tackling four high-intensity days, testing speed, skill, and endurance across the challenging terrain surrounding Lake Naivasha which will be the third round out of the 14 rounds of the WRC series.

Veteran and emerging Kenyan talent will also feature prominently in the field. Notable pairings include Double African Rally (ARC) champion Karan Patel with co-driver Tauseef Khan in a Skoda Fabia, and five-time Safari Rally champion Carl Tundo with co-driver Tim Jessop in a Ford Fiesta.

Other Kenyan competitors include current junior ARC champion Samman Singh (Skoda Fabia Evo), Africa's only paraplegic rally driver and WRC 3 winner Nikhil Sachania (Ford Fiesta Rally 3), Jeremiah Wahome (Skoda Fabia RS), Issa Amwar (Skoda Fabia), Aakif Virani (Skoda Fabia), and Ishamael Azeli (Skoda Fabia RS), among others.

International entrants underscore the rally’s global appeal. Fresh from winning Rally Sweden, defending Safari rally champion Elfyn Evans and eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier will both compete for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team. Sweden’s Oliver Solberg, Japan’s podium contender Takamoto Katsuta, and promising Finnish driver Sami Pajari will also take on the stages.

For the first time in years, the rally will skip its traditional Nairobi start, focusing entirely on the rugged Rift Valley landscape.

The 2026 edition will feature a refined schedule comprising 20 special stages covering a competitive distance of 350.02 kilometers across four demanding days. Known for its unforgiving terrain, unpredictable weather, and endurance testing stages, the Safari Rally requires maximum commitment from the very first kilometer.

Earlier this month the World Rally Championship (WRC) noted that the 2026 edition will feature 20 special stages over four days, delivering nonstop action.