Africa-Press – Kenya. For the first time since the iconic Safari Rally returned to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar in 2021, the legendary event will not roar into life from Nairobi.
The 2026 WRC Safari Rally, the sixth edition since Kenya reclaimed Africa’s prized slot on the global championship stage, will instead be run exclusively in Naivasha, marking a significant shift from a tradition that has seen the ceremonial start staged in the heart of the capital.
Unveiling the 2026 programme, scheduled for March 12–15, Safari Rally Kenya Chief Executive Officer, Charles Gacheru, explained that the change has been driven squarely by the new FIA WRC sporting regulations.
“The FIA WRC Sporting Regulations for 2026, Article 10.2, states that the rally must start on Thursday and finish on Sunday with a Power Stage,” said Gacheru.
“So we’ve been forced to run the rally exclusively in Naivasha. On Tuesday and Wednesday (March 10–11), the rally cars will already be in Naivasha, going through all the routes. That’s the mandatory recce.
”Since its return four years ago, the Safari Rally has become synonymous with the Nairobi flag-off (whether at KICC or City Hall way)—a spectacle that has fused motorsport theatre with the capital’s urban buzz.
Gacheru admitted that losing Nairobi from the itinerary carries real weight. “The impact is huge. Not being in Nairobi is significant. Not flagging off at KICC or outside City Hall is a big change, and it’s not something we take lightly,” he said.
“But if we tried to force it into the itinerary, we would fall foul of the FIA WRC sporting regulations for 2026.
”Beyond regulations, organisers were also constrained by logistics. Gacheru revealed that fitting a full 300-kilometre competitive rally into the four permitted days proved unworkable, given the presence of Nairobi.
Despite the shift, preparations for the 2026 global showpiece are already running on schedule. According to Gacheru, the organising team has met all critical FIA and WRC Promoter deadlines.
“We started the work in June this year because we have various deadlines given to us by both the FIA and the WRC Promoter,” he said.
“The first draft of the Itinerary has to be submitted five and a half months before the rally, and we’ve done that.
We’ve also completed the Rally Guide and the Draft Safety Plan, which are uploaded on the Eventos app. ”He added that extensive route mapping has already been finalised.
“We’ve done new mapping, KMZ flights and GPX files that the drivers and teams need to start surveying the routes before they come to Kenya.
”All rally cars will undergo administrative checks and scrutineering at the Service Park to ensure full compliance before competition begins.
The rally will then burst into life with the shakedown on Thursday morning, March 12, and this too comes with a notable change. “The shakedown location has moved.
It will now be in Nawisa, owned by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, just across the Service Park,” Gacheru disclosed. The new shakedown venue is being hailed as a major operational upgrade.
“It’s a big improvement because, between shakedown runs, usually three, the cars can return directly to the Service Park.
That means there’s no need for a remote service park,” he explained. Accessibility has also been a key consideration. “It’s just off the highway. If you’re driving from Nairobi towards Nakuru, Naivasha Town is on your left, and Nawisa is on your right.
We’ll start the shakedown at the entry of GK Prisons. ”In another fan-friendly move, the 2026 Safari Rally shakedown will be fully open to spectators, a first that organisers expect to draw massive crowds.
“This year, the shakedown will be very, very public. And remember, the shakedown is televised live globally,” Gacheru said.
“We expect residents of Naivasha to really enjoy themselves for the first time because they won’t need a 4×4 to access the shakedown.
”Among the route tweaks for the 2026 edition is the decision to run the punishing Camp Moran Stage in reverse.
