Kenya will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in 2027 after the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) included the event in its 15-round calendar.

President William Ruto confirmed the development on Thursday, October 8, ending uncertainty over Safari Rally Kenya’s future on the WRC calendar beyond 2026.

The 2027 Safari Rally Kenya will run from March 18 to 21 as the fifth round of the championship.

“The Safari Rally stays home. I am delighted to confirm that Kenya will host the WRC Safari Rally in 2027,” Ruto said.

The President added, “Once again, the world’s finest drivers will take on our plains, our valleys and the legendary roads of Naivasha.”

Ruto said the Safari Rally’s return to the 2027 calendar reflects its long history and significance to Kenya.

He thanked the Ministry of Sports, the WRC Safari Rally Project, private-sector partners, the FIA and the WRC Promoter for securing the event.

The 2027 championship will feature 15 rounds across five continents, with rallies also scheduled in Monaco (January 21-24), Sweden (February 18-21), Croatia (April 8-11), Spain (May 6-9), Paraguay (May 29-June 1), Chile (June 4-7), Greece (June 24-27), Italy (July 8-11), Estonia (July 22-25), Finland (July 29-August 1), the United States (August 26-29), the United Kingdom (September 30-October 3), Japan (October 4-7) and Saudi Arabia (November 25-28).

Kenya returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence and had secured its place through 2026 under an agreement with the FIA.

The fresh confirmation comes as Kenya prepares to change how the rally is funded and promoted.

In March, during the closing ceremony of this year’s competition, Ruto had announced that the 2026 edition would be the last Safari Rally supported with public funds, with the event shifting to private-sector financing from 2027 .

The government said resources previously used to promote the rally would instead be directed to support school sports and other sporting activities.

Further, in June, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya appointed acclaimed Kenyan rally driver Carl Tundo as Chief Executive Officer of the WRC Safari Rally Project .