As the engines prepare to roar back to life in Naivasha for the WRC Safari Rally Kenya, one of the world’s most iconic motorsport events, Safaricom is quietly setting the stage behind the scenes—this time as the rally’s official technology and connectivity partner.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 rally, Safaricom is rolling out a powerful digital backbone to ensure the event runs as smoothly online as it does on the rugged rally tracks. The telecom giant plans to deploy multiple Connectivity on Wheels (COWs) units across rally zones, boosting network coverage and increasing internet capacity in areas that would otherwise struggle to keep up with the massive demand for data.
The company is also strengthening its 5G network in key locations around Naivasha, ensuring high-speed connectivity capable of supporting everything from global livestreams to the flood of digital content shared by fans, teams and broadcasters during the rally.
For the hundreds of journalists expected to cover the spectacle, Safaricom is setting up fully equipped media centres fitted with high-speed 5G Wi-Fi, giving both local and international media the tools they need to report seamlessly from the event. Some media practitioners will also receive bulk mobile data packages, allowing them to file stories, upload photos and broadcast updates even from remote rally stages far from the main media hubs.
According to Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, the scale of the rally makes reliable connectivity essential. Each year, thousands of fans travel to Naivasha and surrounding counties to witness the action in person, while millions more follow the race from around the world. Ensuring real-time broadcasting, coordinating safety teams and enabling digital fan engagement across vast and rugged terrain requires a robust network infrastructure.
But Safaricom’s role will extend beyond keeping people connected. The company will also deploy IoT-enabled telematics solutions across the rally’s safety caravan fleet—including ambulances and rapid response vehicles. These smart systems will transmit real-time data, send automated alerts and trigger instant incident notifications to command centres, helping emergency teams respond faster and coordinate more effectively when needed.
By turning rescue vehicles into connected smart assets, the technology allows rally organisers to track movements, monitor incidents and manage safety operations more efficiently across the expansive rally routes.
And for fans who cannot make the trip to Naivasha, Safaricom is bringing the rally experience to their phones. The company plans to introduce rally-themed data bundles, allowing viewers across the country to livestream stages, follow race updates and interact with digital rally content wherever they are. With a simple purchase of the bundle, fans will receive a link that unlocks the full rally experience directly on their mobile devices.
For Safaricom, the partnership underscores the growing role of technology in modern motorsport. As the WRC Safari Rally Kenya continues to cement its place on the global rally calendar, the company’s investment in connectivity, smart safety solutions and digital access is helping ensure that the spectacle reaches audiences everywhere—while keeping the rally itself safer, smarter and more connected than ever before.