Day 2 of Safari Rally Kenya 2026 delivered another intense chapter in what is quickly becoming a strategic battle between teammates and rivals alike.
The day began with a disruption as SS3 Camp Moran 2 was cancelled due to deteriorating road conditions, forcing organisers to adjust the schedule. The action therefore kicked off with SS4 later in the morning, as crews prepared for another demanding Safari test across Naivasha’s rugged terrain.
Solberg Leads by the Smallest of Margins
At the end of Friday’s brutal stages, it was Oliver Solberg who held the rally lead — but only by a tiny 1.0 second margin over eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier.
Ogier applied relentless pressure throughout the day, pushing the young Toyota driver hard across multiple stages and keeping the fight alive heading into Saturday.
Speaking at the end of the day, Solberg admitted the pressure was real:
“We pushed hard today, but Ogier was always right on our tail. Tomorrow will be flat out.”
The stage is now perfectly set for a thrilling Saturday showdown.
Evans Manages Road Opening Duties
One of the standout performances of the day came from Sami Pajari.
The young Toyota driver was in sensational form, winning SS5, SS6 and SS8, underlining his growing confidence within the Toyota Gazoo Racing lineup.
His pace throughout the day proved he belongs among the team’s strongest performers.
Katsuta Battles Through Trouble
After struggling with overheating issues earlier in the rally, Hyundai Motorsport showed signs of recovery.
Adrien Fourmaux delivered an impressive push, even beating Solberg’s stage times on several occasions, suggesting Hyundai’s pace is returning as the rally progresses.
Fourmaux ended the day sixth overall, while defending world champion Thierry Neuville remained in the fight further down the order.
Meanwhile Esapekka Lappi also continued battling the demanding Kenyan stages.
The Hyundai charge is far from over.
Strong Showing for Karan Patel
Local pride also shone through the leaderboard.
Kenya’s reigning African champion Karan Patel finished the day in 14th position, an impressive performance that saw him ahead of drivers such as Jon Armstrong and Josh McErlean.
It was another reminder of the growing strength of East African rally talent on the world stage.
Saturday: The Decisive Battle
Friday proved once again why Safari Rally is one of the toughest events in the World Rally Championship calendar.
Rough roads, unpredictable weather, and mechanical challenges pushed teams to the limit.
Now attention turns to Saturday, widely considered the decisive day of Safari Rally.
And if Solberg’s words are anything to go by — the fight at the front is about to get even more intense.
Flat out.
Rally Fanatics 
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