WRC 2026: KenGen Partnership Fuels Drivers’ Charge as Safari Rally Anticipation Builds

In Summary

• KenGen unveils a multi-million shilling support package for three drivers ahead of WRC 2026.
• Queen Kalimpinya, Andrew Muiruri and Ismail Azeli lead a diverse and competitive regional lineup.
• With ongoing rains threatening tougher terrain, fans and drivers brace for a potentially dramatic Safari Rally edition.

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Last year’s edition of the World Rally Championship Safari Rally delivered everything fans have come to expect from Kenya’s iconic motorsport spectacle—relentless terrain, unpredictable weather, and dramatic twists that kept global audiences glued to their screens. The 2025 rally tested both machinery and mental stamina, with several crews battling mechanical setbacks while others capitalized on consistency and strategy. Kenyan drivers showed grit in the national categories, earning respectable finishes and reaffirming the country’s growing competitiveness on the world stage.

As engines begin to rev toward WRC 2026, anticipation is rising—and this time, the stakes appear even higher.

At a briefing held yesterday, the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) formalized its expanded commitment to the Safari Rally, announcing a combined driver support package of KSh 2.1 million and an additional KSh 3 million toward the WRC Safari Rally. The move signals both corporate confidence in the sport and a strategic investment in regional talent.

The supported lineup features Ismail Azeli navigated by John Ngugi in a Ford Fiesta R5, Andrew Muiruri alongside Edward Njoroge in a Subaru N12, and the all-Rwandese crew of Queen Kalimpinya and Olivier Ngabo. Kalimpinya, the 2017 Miss Rwanda third runner-up and reigning Rwanda National Rally Champion, receives KSh 1 million in support, while Azeli and Muiruri will receive KSh 600,000 and KSh 500,000 respectively.

Speaking during the launch, KenGen Managing Director and CEO Eng. Peter Njenga described the partnership with the World Rally Championship Safari Rally as a reaffirmation of the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable, world-class events.

He emphasized that supporting local drivers is not merely symbolic but strategic—positioning Kenya competitively while strengthening the company’s continental footprint, particularly in geothermal development and regional expansion.

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Kalimpinya, widely recognized as Rwanda’s first female rally driver, expressed excitement ahead of her first competitive outing outside Rwanda. Transitioning from modeling to motorsport, she has steadily built a reputation for discipline and determination, culminating in her national championship victory. She noted that both technical testing and physical preparation have been undertaken in readiness for the demanding Safari terrain.

Andrew Muiruri, a familiar face at the Safari since the championship’s return to Kenya in 2021, reflected on his journey—highlighting last year’s strong fifth-place finish in the Kenya National category and a class win as a personal high point. Experience, he suggested, will be crucial as drivers prepare for what could be one of the most physically punishing editions yet.

And that possibility is very real.

With ongoing rains reported across several rally zones, this year’s WRC Safari Rally could present deeper mud sections, waterlogged tracks, and rapidly shifting grip levels. Historically, wet conditions have transformed the Safari into a survival contest—rewarding patience, mechanical reliability, and tactical pacing over outright speed. If the rains persist, fans may witness a thrilling blend of calculated risk-taking and dramatic recovery moments.

For spectators, the unpredictability only adds to the allure. The Safari Rally is not just another championship round; it is widely regarded as one of the toughest events in the global rally calendar. Its rugged terrain and sweeping landscapes have long set it apart from other WRC circuits.

Beyond competition, KenGen’s expanded footprint signals a broader trend of corporate alignment with sports tourism and global media visibility. Motorsport, particularly the Safari Rally, continues to draw millions of viewers worldwide while stimulating local economies through hospitality, adventure tourism, and ancillary industries.

As countdown clocks tick toward WRC 2026, the narrative is shaping up as a blend of regional pride, strategic partnerships, and the raw unpredictability of nature. If the skies remain heavy and the tracks turn slick, fans and drivers alike may be in for an unforgettable spectacle—one that once again cements Kenya’s place at the heart of global rallying.