CFAO Mobility Kenya, Toyota’s franchise holders in Kenya, are, yet again, seeking total dominance on and off the competition circuit at this year’s WRC Safari Rally.
The Safari is the third round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) this year after the opening two rounds in Monte Carlo and Sweden where the Japanese manufacturer emerged top on both occasions.
In the Principality’s season-opening Rallye Monte Carlo, Toyota Gazoo Racing Team’s Sebastien Ogier, navigated by fellow Frenchman Vincent Landais won the 1,629-kilometre snow and tarmac challenge with British teammates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin coming in second, some 18.5 second behind.
It was the Britons’ turn to dominate in Sweden last weekend, with Evans/ Martin clinching a dramatic 3.8 seconds victory over teammates Katsuta Takamoto (Japan) and Aaron Johnston (Ireland) on the snow of Umea.
And as they hit the Kenyan gravel from March 20 to 23, Toyota will be chasing a fifth straight Safari Rally title to celebrate 100 years since the Japanese manufacturer ventured into rallying.
They hope to win on and off the roads with CFAO Mobility Kenya handing over a Sh33 million sponsorship cheque to Safari organisers as part of their contribution to the success of the celebrated Kenyan round.
“As we celebrate 100 years of Toyota Gazoo Racing in rallying, our investment reflects Toyota’s unwavering commitment to pushing the limits for better, delivering high-performance vehicles, and supporting the growth of rallying in Kenya,” CFAO Mobility Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel said on Monday while unveiling their support for the rally.
CFAO Mobility Kenya has backed the Safari for the last five years as official transport partner and their 2025 sponsorship will see them, once again, provide a Toyota GR Hilux Pick-up route opener car besides offering professional driver training for support teams.
“We are incredibly proud to mark five years of continuous support for the WRC Safari Rally, a landmark event that showcases Kenya’s motorsport excellence to the world,” Reel added.
At Monday’s sponsorship announcement also graced by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Principal Secretary Peter Tum and Safari Rally CEO Charles Gacheru, the government’s commitment towards the iconic competition was once again declared.
“It is about strengthening Kenya’s place in the global sporting arena and creating opportunities beyond the track,” PS Tum said.
“The Safari Rally is the only World Rally Championship circuit in Africa. It carries history, prestige, and economic impact. With each edition, we see the value it brings to tourism, local businesses, and the broader automotive industry. Toyota’s involvement in last year’s rally was a testament to this,” he added.
“As a Ministry, we are keen on fostering partnerships that complement government investment in sports. Motorsport, like many disciplines, requires structured collaboration between stakeholders to thrive.”
The PS noted that the government was injecting best practice into the management of sports in the country to ensure accountability.
“Alongside investment, good governance and accountability remain our priority. We are refining policies to ensure that funding and sponsorships translate into real impact—better infrastructure, stronger talent development, and a more professionalized industry.
“The ongoing review of the Sports Act and Sports Policy is central to this agenda,” Tum noted.
Event Pictorial Below:
Elias Makori, the founder and Managing Editor of Pura Vida Sports Africa, is a veteran sports journalist with over 30 years’ experience. Makori is a holder of a Masters in Sports Management degree from Barcelona’s Cruyff Institute and is also the 2012 World Athletics Journalist of the Year, three-time Kenya Sports Journalist of the Year and twice Africa Sports Media Personality of the Year.
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