Safari rally puts Africa on global stage

by MARIA MACHARIA
NAIVASHA – THE dust has settled on another unforgettable edition of the legendary Safari Rally Kenya, as the third round of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) concluded Sunday, leaving fans and officials celebrating across the Rift Valley.

Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston claimed a historic maiden WRC victory, conquering one of the world’s toughest gravel rallies after four days of high drama.

Katsuta’s Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) WRT teammate competitors, including Oliver Solberg, Sébastien Ogier, and Elfyn Evans, were forced to retire on the punishing SS13 stage, clearing the path for Katsuta’s triumph.

Adopting a careful, survival-first strategy, Katsuta built a lead of over a minute and 25 seconds by the end of Day 3.

He managed his GR Yaris Rally1 through Sunday’s final four stages to secure his career-defining victory by 27.4 seconds.

The event was more than a showcase of elite driving—it was a celebration of Kenya and Africa’s capacity to host world-class sporting spectacles.

Kenyan President William Ruto attended the closing ceremony in Naivasha, praising the rally’s continental significance.

“The Safari Rally is part of Kenya’s sporting heritage and a global showcase for our country,” President Ruto said.

“The participation of fans from across the East African Community has elevated the Safari Rally into a truly regional event. Your presence shows the power of sport to bring East Africa together.”

From the ceremonial flag-off on Thursday to the dramatic finale at Hell’s Gate National Park, tens of thousands of fans lined the stages across the Great Rift Valley, transforming the rally into a rolling festival of motorsport, culture, and community. Spectators gathered on hilltops, plains, and river crossings to watch the world’s best drivers contend with the Safari Rally’s signature challenges.

For competitors, the rally delivered exactly what its reputation promises: endurance, skill, and adventure.

Drivers battled choking clouds of ‘fesh-fesh’ dust, rocky escarpments, muddy water crossings, and the unpredictable Rift Valley weather, switching between heavy rain and blazing sun.

Legendary stages such as Soysambu and the Sleeping Warrior delivered mechanical failures and punctures, testing even the most seasoned crews.

WRC points and trophies were contested across WRC1, WRC2, WRC3, and African national championship categories. Local drivers thrilled home fans, who cheered along spectator zones stretching from Naivasha to Elementaita.

Rally veteran and five-time Safari Rally winner Carl Tundo, now Head of Secretariat for the WRC Safari Rally, praised the massive turnout.

“What we have witnessed this week—the crowds, the passion, the atmosphere—shows just how much this rally means to Kenya and the entire East African region,” Tundo said.

“Our focus is to build on this momentum and continue raising the standard of the Safari Rally for teams, fans, and partners in the years ahead.”

Teams from Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT, and M-Sport Ford Puma WRT faced rapidly changing conditions, where a single puncture or suspension failure could end podium hopes in seconds.

Corporate sponsors embraced the carnival atmosphere, setting up fan zones and entertainment areas throughout Naivasha.

Ronald Karauri highlighted the rally’s continental significance.

“The Safari Rally is a celebration of Kenya, of Africa, and of the incredible passion our people have for sport,” Karauri said.

“The energy from fans this week shows why this rally deserves a permanent spot on the global motorsport calendar.”

As engines fell silent on Sunday, attention turns to the rally’s future. The current contract to host the Safari Rally within the WRC concluded this year, with renewal discussions expected to gain momentum in the coming months.

For Kenya and the wider East African region, the overwhelming turnout and successful organisation have reaffirmed why the Safari Rally belongs at the heart of the global championship calendar—celebrating Africa’s landscapes, culture, and sporting excellence.

— CAJ News