KCB extends six-year sponsorship streak as WRC event gears up for another global showcase
KCB Bank Kenya has committed KShs. 227 million towards the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya, marking its sixth consecutive year of sponsoring the iconic motorsport event since its return to the global calendar in 2021 after a 19-year absence.
Of the total sponsorship, KShs. 100 million will go directly to Safari Rally Kenya, while KShs. 28.5 million has been earmarked to support five KCB-sponsored drivers—Kenya’s Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania and Tinashe Gatimu, Rwanda’s Queen Kalimpinya, and Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi. The remaining funds will be allocated to 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 the Kenyan soil in 2021 after a 19-year absence.
Driving Sports, Tourism and Economic Impact
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 support further talent for global, regional and in-country competitions across disciplines.”
This latest investment brings KCB’s cumulative contribution to the Safari Rally since 2021 to KShs. 980 million, reinforcing the bank’s position as one of the most consistent corporate backers
Over the past two decades, KCB has invested more than KShs. 5 billion in sports, including motorsports, rugby, football, athletics, volleyball, chess and golf. In motorsports alone, the bank has spent over KShs. 2 billion, enabling local drivers to compete regionally and internationally.
Safari Rally Route and Schedule
The four-day rally will be based in Naivasha to comply with FIA 2026 regulations on competitive distances and crew working hours. The event will feature 350.02 competitive kilometres and 842.9 liaison kilometres.
Action begins on Thursday, March 12, with a shakedown at the newly introduced Nawisa stage, followed by stages at Camp Moran and Mzabibu. Subsequent stages will take drivers through Loldia, Geothermal, Kedong, Soysambu, Elementaita and Sleeping Warrior, before the rally concludes on Sunday, March 15, at the Wolf Power Stage in Hell’s Gate.
Sustainability and Global Appeal
KCB will integrate sustainability into the rally by targeting the planting of 5,000 trees and engaging over 60 high schools in green debate forums. The rally is expected to attract 50 teams, with top manufacturers including Toyota, Hyundai, Škoda and M-Sport Ford, and elite drivers such as Sebastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville and defending champion Elfyn Evans set to compete.
“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,” said Safari Rally Kenya CEO, Charles Gacheru.
PS Mwangi praised KCB’s role, saying its sustained investment has helped grow local talent, attract global attention and unlock opportunities for communities along the rally route.
“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.
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.
KCB Commit KShs 227 Million for Sixth Safari Rally Sponsorship 2026
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