President William Ruto has called on the private sector to play a more significant role in sponsoring the Safari Rally, emphasizing that future editions should be driven by private companies. During the flag-off of the 2025 WRC Safari Rally, Ruto highlighted the substantial costs involved in organizing the event, revealing that the government had spent Ksh 968 million this year.
Ruto recalled how the cost of the event skyrocketed to Ksh 2.1 billion in 2023, prompting him to instruct the Ministry to reduce the expenses. “I am happy that in 2024, the cost dropped by Ksh 800 million to Ksh 1.3 billion. This year, we reduced it further by Ksh 300 million, bringing the total to Ksh 980 million,” he shared.
The president expressed optimism about the future of the event, stressing that the government aims for a model where the private sector takes over the funding. “I look forward to the day when this event will cost nothing to the government, and the private sector will fully sponsor it,” he said. He reassured both the FIA and WRC that the Kenyan government remains committed to supporting the rally, recognizing its importance not only to Kenya but to the entire African continent.
The Safari Rally, a key leg of the World Rally Championship, returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 20-year hiatus. The 2025 edition kicked off with a 4.76-kilometre Super Special Stage at Kasarani, followed by stages in Naivasha, Camp Moran, Loldia, and Oserengoni. The event will culminate in a grand awards ceremony where the 2025 champion will be crowned.
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