President William Ruto poses for a photo rally drivers in Naivasha in 2024/PCS
The four-day which started Thursday in Nairobi, will conclude with an award ceremony to be held at Hell’s Gate in Naivasha.
The conclusion of the grueling 21-stage event marks another successful edition of the globally acclaimed motorsport spectacle.
Ruto flagged off the rally Thursday in Nairobi before drivers tackled the Super Special Stage at Kasarani.
The competition then shifted to the main venue in Naivasha, with the Mzabibu stage making its debut as part of the challenging terrain.
Kenyans will be hoping to hear his message regarding Kenya's hosting rights for the event, especially with the current contract set to expire in 2026.
With the event proving to be an economic powerhouse for Naivasha, local hoteliers and tourism players have urged the government to secure an extension.
The country’s initial five-year deal with the WRC promoter ended this year, but an extension was negotiated until 2026.
Regarded as one of the toughest and most iconic events on the WRC calendar, the Safari Rally made its grand return to the global stage in 2021 after a 19-year hiatus.
It remains the most anticipated rally event, drawing over 124 million spectators worldwide.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has assured Kenyans that the country is ready to make a compelling case for an extension.
"Kenya is the rally capital of Africa. Even though 2026 is coming, we are ready to go on, and as the government, we will pitch a tent to ensure we go on," he said.
The CS highlighted Kenya’s unique appeal, emphasising the country’s breathtaking landscapes and ideal conditions for rallying.
"You will not find this combination of exciting sites and diversity in any other part of Africa. The enabling environment here for the WRC is also spectacular," Mvurya said.
Speaking at the event’s flag-off, Ruto applauded corporate sponsors for their crucial role in ensuring the success of the 2025 Rally.
He emphasised the need for greater private sector participation to reduce government spending on the event. The president revealed that the government’s expenditure on the rally had significantly dropped from Sh2.1 billion in 2023 to Sh980 million in 2025, following a strategic cost-cutting approach.
He recalled that in 2024, costs had already been reduced by Sh800 million to Sh1.3 billion, and this year, they had come down further by Sh300 million.
Ruto expressed optimism that increased private sector investment would eventually eliminate the need for government funding.
He noted that corporate sponsors benefit from the exposure and advertising opportunities that come with the event, making it an attractive investment for private businesses.
He added that the government is willing to allow private sector companies to take the lead in financing the rally to ensure its sustainability.
