KCB Group Kenya has set aside KES227m ($1.7m) for the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya, marking the sixth consecutive year of sponsorship since the iconic rally made its historic return to Kenya.
Of this sponsorship, KES100 million will go directly to the Safari Rally Kenya, while KES28.5 million will be spent on the five KCB-sponsored drivers – Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania, Tinashe Gatimu, Queen Kalimpinya from Rwanda, and Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi. The rest of the funds will be spent on activations and marketing.
This brings the total to KShs. 980 million, the amount of money the Bank has given towards the global showpiece since its return to Kenyan soil in 2021 after a 19-year absence.
While presenting the sponsorship cheque to the Sports Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi, on Tuesday morning, KCB Group CEO Paul Russo said: “Our sponsorship demonstrates our commitment to driving sustainable impact, supporting local talent, and stimulating economic activity across tourism, trade, and enterprise among other sectors.”
“We are looking at continually building on our experience and scale in sports sponsorships across East Africa to further support talent for global, regional and in-country competitions across disciplines.”
KCB, a synonymous name in sports, has played a pivotal role in elevating the sports landscape in the country. In the past two decades, the Bank has spent over KES5bn on various sports disciplines, including motorsports, rugby, chess, volleyball, football, golf, and athletics. For motorsports specifically, the Bank has invested over KES2bn while also giving local drivers an opportunity to participate in local, regional, and international events.
The rally will cover a total competitive distance of 350.02 kilometres, supported by a liaison distance of 842.9 kilometres, in line with FIA requirements. The four-day event will be based in Naivasha, a move designed to meet the FIA 2026 sporting regulations on distances and crew working hours, moving away from the usual ceremonial flag off in Nairobi.
On Thursday, 12 March 2026, there will be a shakedown at the newly introduced Nawisa stage. This will be followed by a ceremonial flag off before the cars pass Camp Moran and Mzabibu stages. On Friday, 13 March, cars will pass Camp Moran, Loldia, Geothermal, and Kedong. On Sunday, March 14, action will head to Soysambu, Elementaita, and Sleeping Warrior, before concluding with an autograph signing at Mzabibu.
Sunday, 15 March, marks an electric day of action as cars rev off from Oserengoni, Hell’s Gate, before passing the Wolf Power Stage in the afternoon, culminating in the prize-giving ceremony.
“KCB’s sustained investment has helped grow local talent, attract global attention, and unlock opportunities for communities along the rally route. We commend the Bank for being a dependable partner in advancing sports development and youth empowerment in Kenya,” said PS Mwangi.
The Bank will embed sustainability at the heart of the rally, with an ambitious target of planting and growing 5,000 trees this year, in line with the government’s agenda to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. Additionally, KCB will engage over 60 high schools in a curated green debate series that seeks to inspire and engage the younger generation, at the same time promoting environmental consciousness.
“The Safari Rally continues to grow as a global sporting spectacle, attracting fans and competitors from around the world. We are proud to showcase Kenya on the international motorsport stage and to inspire the next generation of local talent,” Safari Rally Kenya CEO Charles Gacheru said.
This year, the rally is expected to attract 50 local and international teams, with top manufacturers such as Toyota, Hyundai, Škoda, and M-Sport Ford confirmed to compete.
The entry list features some of the sport’s biggest names, including Sebastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, defending Safari Rally champion Elfyn Evans, and Grégoire Munster, among others.
Marking the third round of the season, the event remains the ultimate test of survival in the WRC, where the wildlife is as unpredictable as the weather, with a refined schedule that packs 20 special stages into four days.
