Kenya planning for Safari Rally contract extension beyond 2026, CS Mvurya says

The government of Kenya will fully support efforts to extend the Safari Rally Kenya contract beyond 2026, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has said.

The Cabinet Secretary is adamant that Kenya will win an extension to the world-renowned rally that has been back in the country after a near two decade hiatus that ended in 2021.

Kenya signed an initial five-year deal to host the event and got an extension to 2026 last year.

Mvurya is of the opinion that the Safari is one of the most unique events on the rally calendar and has praised fans for showing up to suppirt the race.

"Kenya is the rally capital of Africa, and we are ready to go on and therefore, as the government and all the partners, we will pitch tent (at the WRC) to ensure we go on," Mvurya told the press during the rally Saturday.

Mvurya insists that Kenya is a unique race that no other circuit around the world offers.

"You will not find this combination, these exciting sites, or this exciting diversity in any other part of Africa. The environment for the rally is spectacular. It's fantastic," he added.

33 vehicles, participating in various categories, took off from the first rally stage in Nairobi on Thursday and since then it has been an exciting rally filled with lots of obstacles and unpredictable weather and will end on Sunday at the Hells Gate National Park Naivasha.

Mvurya congratulated the organisers of the rally saying that it has so far delivered great value for fans and competitors.

"We have many Kenyans and international visitors at this year's event and this is a great advertisement. The organizers have done a wonderful job. It has been seamless and a smooth rally," he praised.

Welsh star Elfyn Evans currently leads the Safari with one day to go.