CFAO Mobility Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to Kenyan motorsport by announcing a KSh 48.5 million investment in the forthcoming World Rally Championship Safari Rally Kenya, scheduled for March 12–15 in Naivasha. The package includes two brand-new Toyota Starlet Rally5 cars valued at KSh 34.5 million for the Safari Rally Training School, a purpose-built KSh 3.7 million Cross Car prototype dedicated to junior drivers aged 12–17, and funding for a professional training programme delivered in partnership with South Africa’s Botterill Motor Sport.
Managing Director Arvinder Reel unveiled the sponsorship during a media briefing at CFAO’s Nairobi headquarters on March 3, 2026. “For six consecutive years we have supported the Safari Rally because we believe motorsport is one of the most powerful platforms for developing talent, discipline and national pride,” Reel said. “This year’s investment of KSh 48.5 million takes our total contribution to more than KSh 153 million since 2021. We are not just sponsors—we are partners in building a sustainable rally ecosystem that produces world-class Kenyan drivers.”
The two Toyota Starlet Rally5 cars represent the most significant equipment donation yet to the Safari Rally Training School, an initiative jointly run by the Kenya Motor Sports Federation and the rally organising team. The Rally5 category is recognised as an ideal stepping stone for young drivers transitioning from karting or lower formulas into full WRC competition. Both cars are equipped with the latest safety cages, fire suppression systems, sequential gearboxes and gravel-specific suspension, making them ready for the punishing 350-kilometre special stages that characterise the Safari Rally.
The KSh 3.7 million Cross Car prototype is specifically designed for junior competitors aged 12–17. The lightweight, open-wheel buggy-style vehicle offers a safer, lower-cost entry point into rallycross and stage rallying. It will be used in dedicated junior training sessions and demonstration runs during the Safari Rally week, giving young talents their first taste of high-level competition under controlled conditions.
A key component of the sponsorship is the professional training programme delivered by South Africa’s Botterill Motor Sport, one of the most respected rally preparation and driver-coaching outfits on the African continent. The programme includes classroom sessions on pace-note reading, vehicle dynamics, safety protocols and mental preparation, followed by on-stage coaching on closed sections of the Safari route. Several emerging Kenyan drivers will benefit from the coaching, with the best performers expected to receive factory support for future rallies.
Reel emphasised that the investment goes beyond the headline WRC event. “The Safari Rally is the pinnacle, but real change happens at grassroots level,” he said. “By equipping the training school with competitive Rally5 cars and giving juniors access to a purpose-built Cross Car, we are creating a clear talent pipeline. When top drivers like Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä and Thierry Neuville arrive in Naivasha, they will see Kenyan talent pushing hard behind them—not just spectators cheering from the sidelines.”
The Safari Rally Kenya remains one of the most demanding events on the WRC calendar, with its legendary gravel stages filled with sand traps, fist-sized rocks, river crossings, wildlife hazards and unpredictable weather. The 2026 edition will feature 19 special stages covering approximately 350 competitive kilometres, drawing factory teams from Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport Ford as well as an expanding field of privateers and regional drivers.
Reel highlighted that CFAO Mobility Kenya’s involvement is part of a long-term strategy to grow motorsport in the country. “Motorsport teaches discipline, teamwork, mechanical knowledge and resilience—skills that benefit young people far beyond the track,” he said. “We are proud to have supported the Safari Rally for six years running, and we look forward to seeing the next generation of Kenyan rally stars emerge from this partnership.”
The Kenya Motor Sports Federation welcomed the announcement, saying the equipment and training support will significantly strengthen the national driver development programme. “Having two Rally5 cars and a junior Cross Car changes everything,” said a federation official. “Young drivers now have access to machinery that matches what they will face in regional and international competition. This closes a major gap in our talent pathway.”
As the Safari Rally Kenya approaches, anticipation is building among fans and competitors alike. With world-class drivers preparing to tackle the iconic “Safari spirit” stages and a new wave of local talent receiving unprecedented support, the 2026 edition promises to be one of the most competitive and meaningful in recent history.
