Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto speaking at the close of World Rally Championship, Safari Rally 2025 in Naivasha/SCREENGRABPresident William Ruto now says that Kenya will build on the
success of the 2025 World Rally Championship Safari Rally to make the 2026 edition better. He said the success will also be used to create opportunities
for growth and innovation next year. “As we look ahead, we invite all of you to join us once again for the 73rd edition of the WRC Safari Rally in 2026. We will continue to
build on the success of this year, creating more opportunities for growth, innovation, and excitement for both participants and spectators,” Ruto said.
He spoke as he made his closing remarks as the curtains fell on the 72nd edition of WRC. Speaking during the flagging off of the WRC in Nairobi, President
William Ruto commended the corporate sector for making this year’s WRC Safari Rally Kenya successful through sponsorship. This is as he encouraged other private partners to come in
and partner with the government. Ruto stated that the future of motorsport in the country depends heavily on the increased involvement of the private sector.
“I remember that this rally cost the government Sh2.1 billion in 2023, I did give firm instructions to the ministry that, that figure
should come down. I am happy that in 2024 it came down by Sh800 million to Sh1.3 billion and I insisted that this year it must cost less, I am happy again
it came down by Sh300 million,” he stated. The Safari Rally began on March 20, 2025. The edition was won by 36-year-old driver Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin.
The Toyota Gazoo team closed the championship by extending their lead to 36 points after three rounds. Evans recorded back-to-back victories for the first
time, finishing more than a minute ahead of Hyundai driver Estonian Ott Tanak. Tanak led the race before breaking a driveshaft on Friday. Last year’s winner Thierry Neuville of Hyundai came in
third place. Finish driver Sami Pajari was fourth, and Japanese Takamoto Katsuta finished fifth. They both drove Toyota. Gregoire Munster of Luxembourg was sixth while Irish McErlean finished Seventh. Both had Ford cars.
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