The Ministry of Sports will on Friday unveil a new leadership structure for the WRC Safari Rally, even as Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya clarified that Chief Executive Officer Charles Gacheru will remain in office until the end of his contract.
The announcement follows days of speculation surrounding Gacheru’s position at the Safari Rally Secretariat, just as preparations intensify ahead of the iconic motorsport spectacle.
“The CEO, duly gazetted and seconded officers serving in the WRC Safari Rally Project Secretariat, as well as those with ongoing contractual engagements, will be reassigned back into the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports to serve until the conclusion of their respective contractual terms,” Mvurya stated.
Director of Communication in the CS’s office, Juney Karisa, confirmed that the Ministry will formally communicate the new administrative framework on Friday.
“We will announce the new leadership structure for the WRC Safari Rally on Friday,” she said. Crucially, Karisa reiterated that Gacheru’s position remains secure.
“Gacheru remains CEO and is gazetted by the government, so his role as CEO is intact.” Gacheru was appointed CEO of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya in 2024 by then Sports CS Ababu Namwamba on a three-year term, succeeding Phineas Kimathi.
The Ministry maintains that his tenure remains legally and procedurally sound. Karisa further disclosed that the restructuring push has partly been driven by the private sector partners keen to take a more prominent leadership role in the rally’s organisation.
“The private partners asked for one of their own to take charge of the rally, and we are awaiting to see how it pans out on Friday,” she noted.
Corporate sponsors have already signalled increased backing. “Some partners have even announced that they will add onto their sponsorship this year, but they want their own to take leadership,” Karisa added.
The shift mirrors sentiments expressed by President William Ruto during last year’s rally, when he indicated that the Government would gradually scale down its financial commitment to allow the private sector to assume full sponsorship. Mvurya underscored the significance of the transition.
“While this landmark partnership heralds a new era for motorsport in Kenya, it will significantly ease the Government’s annual financial commitment to the WRC event,” he said.
“The move will free up substantial resources to be redirected toward the development and strengthening of other sporting disciplines across the country.”
Under the proposed framework, the private sector will take the lead in the coordination and execution of the 2026 Safari Rally under a restructured administrative model.
“Under this new framework, the private sector will take the lead and play a central role in the coordination and execution of the WRC Safari Rally 2026, with a restructured administrative framework put in place to align with the new partnership model,” Mvurya stated.
He further revealed that the Government has already settled the promoter’s fee to ensure seamless planning and uninterrupted logistical preparations.
“I wish to reassure Kenyans, stakeholders, partners, and motorsport fans that preparations for the WRC Safari Rally 2026 have been finalised, and our country is fully ready to host yet another thrilling global motorsport spectacle,” he noted.
The CS also rallied fans to turn up in Naivasha for what he described as a bigger and more electrifying edition of the legendary rally.
“I once again invite Kenyans and motorsport fans from across the world to join us in Naivasha for a bigger, better, and more electrifying rally event that continues to redefine Kenya’s sporting excellence and global stature,” he added.
