Oscar Ntambi to represent Uganda at Safari Kenya Rally

The Safari Kenya Rally remains easily the most exhilarating experience for the East African rally fraternity.

For starters, it is a World Rally Championship event, which means a first-hand encounter with the sport’s highest excellencies, the machines, drivers and tactics.

It is also an Africa Rally Championship (ARC) competition, providing East African drivers with an opportunity to pursue their continental aspirations.

KCB Group CEO Paul Russo and PS State Department of Sports, Elijah Mwangi, present a cheque to the KCB-sponsored rally drivers from across East Africa during the official launch of the 2026 KCB WRC Safari Rally Sponsorship at KICC, Nairobi

Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi, for one, has already confirmed he will be racing in this year’s edition, thanks to the support of rally sponsor KCB Bank.

Ntambi (in the ARC II category) is one of five East African drivers that the bank will fund for the March rally, a list that also includes Kenya’s Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania and Tinashe Gatimu, as well as Queen Kalimpinya from Rwanda. These will share a pot of sh781m, which is a small fraction of KCB’s top sponsorship package.

In all, KCB will invest sh6.2b in sponsorship, with sh2.7b going directly to the Rally and the remaining sh2.7b dedicated towards activations and marketing.

“Our sponsorship demonstrates our commitment to driving sustainable impact, supporting local talent, and stimulating economic activity across tourism, trade, and enterprise among other sectors,” said KCB Group CEO Paul Russo while handing over the sponsorship cheque to Kenya’s Sports Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi, on Tuesday.

KCB have invested sh26.8b in the global showpiece since its return to Kenya in 2021 after a 19-year absence.

“We are looking at continually building on our experience and scale in sports sponsorships across East Africa to further support talent for global, regional and in-country competitions across disciplines,” explained Russo.

Edgar Byamah, Managing Director of KCB Bank Uganda, underscored the Bank’s commitment to nurturing and growing motorsport across the region.

He said, “We are excited to see Oscar Ntambi representing Uganda on the world stage. We have played a pivotal role in his rally journey in Uganda, and his unique racing style has contributed to the growth of motorsport not only locally but beyond our borders.

He further added that KCB Bank Uganda has been at the forefront of supporting and championing motorsport. Guided by the ‘For People, For Better’ promise, the Bank is committed to ensuring that local talent receives the technical and financial backing needed to compete on the global stage and help young people access world-class platforms. 

The rally will cover a total competitive distance of 350km, supported by a liaison distance of 842.9km, in line with FIA requirements.

The four-day event will be based in Naivasha, a move designed to meet the FIA 2026 sporting regulations on distances and crew working hours, moving away from the usual ceremonial flag off in Nairobi. On Thursday, March 12, there will be a shakedown at the newly introduced Nawisa stage. This will be followed by a ceremonial flag off before the cars pass Camp Moran and Mzabibu stages.

On Friday, March 13, cars will pass Camp Moran, Loldia, Geothermal, and Kedong. On Saturday, March 14, action will head to Soysambu, Elementaita, and Sleeping Warrior, before concluding with an autograph signing at Mzabibu. Sunday, March 15, marks an electric day of action as cars rev off from Oserengoni, Hell’s Gate, before passing the Wolf Power Stage in the afternoon, culminating in the prize-giving ceremony.