KCB Bank has committed Ksh 227 million to the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the bank said this marks the sixth year it has backed the rally since it returned to Kenya in 2021 after a 19-year absence.
Of the total amount, Ksh 100 million will go straight to Safari Rally Kenya, while KSh 28.5 million will support five KCB-sponsored drivers, including talent from Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The rest will cover marketing and fan engagement activities.
“This sponsorship is more than just supporting motorsport. It’s about creating economic opportunities, growing local talent, and putting Kenya on the global sports map,” KCB Group CEO Paul Russo said on Tuesday while presenting the sponsorship cheque to Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi.
Since 2021, KCB has pumped nearly Ksh 980 million into the rally and over Ksh 5 billion into sports in Kenya over the last two decades. Motorsport alone has attracted more than Kshs 2 billion, giving Kenyan drivers a chance to compete locally, regionally, and internationally.
“The Bank’s support has been crucial in developing talent and attracting global attention. It’s also helping local communities along the rally route,” PS Mwangi said.
The 2026 rally will run over four days from Naivasha, covering 350 kilometres of competitive stages and 842 kilometres of liaison distances.
New stages like Nawisa and classic routes like Hell’s Gate will test both drivers and their machines. International stars, including Sebastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, and defending champion Elfyn Evans, are all set to compete.
Safari Rally Kenya CEO Charles Gacheru said the event continues to grow as a major global spectacle. “This is not just a rally. It’s Kenya on the world stage showing our talent, landscapes, and hospitality to the globe,” he said.
KCB is also using the rally to push sustainability and youth engagement. The bank plans to plant 5,000 trees this year and will involve over 60 high schools in a green debate series aimed at promoting environmental awareness.
Business analysts say the investment is more than a sponsorship.
“KCB is turning the rally into a business engine — boosting tourism, supporting local vendors, and building its brand locally and internationally. Sports sponsorships like this pay off in both visibility and economic impact,” Joseph Kamau, a business analyst, said.
With the rally attracting 50 teams from top manufacturers like Toyota, Hyundai, Škoda, and M-Sport Ford, KCB’s backing ensures Kenya stays at the heart of the global motorsport map and benefits from the economic spin-offs that follow.
Leave a comment