Kenya Airways is being questioned over the airline’s use of the money allocated for the sponsorship of ‘Safari Rally’ motor racing events.
As the dust settles on the recently concluded 72nd edition of the Safari Rally Kenya which saw 36-year-old Welsh driver Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin claim victory for Toyota, concerns have emerged regarding the financial management of the event.
The Safari Rally, a prestigious leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC), has long been a platform for sponsors to engage with loyal customers and support the sport.
However, according to the Kenyan blogger, Cyprian Makundi, some troubling claims have surfaced, specifically about the funds allocated to the Kenya Airways (KQ) for the Rally sponsorship.
One anonymous source has reportedly come forward with serious allegations about how these funds have been misused.
The sponsorship, which should have been a gesture for Kenya Airways’ top-tier customers to enjoy the Rally, was instead reportedly reserved for the airline’s staff and their families.
Dozens of Kenya Airways employees were reportedly flown to Naivasha during the March 2025 event, with all of them booked at high-end hotels.
Reliable sources point out that the amount spent on their accommodations could have easily funded the experience for hundreds of rally enthusiasts for at least a day.
The source also raised concerns about the apparent sense of entitlement displayed by Kenya Airways staff, who reportedly enjoyed lavish stays at luxury tents, while the company paid service providers for tasks that could have been carried out by the same employees.
This raises questions about whether staff were truly required to be on-site for the rally, especially if their tasks could have been managed remotely.
The source argues that such excess spending only deepens the airline’s never-ending financial struggles.
Given the serious nature of these allegations, this issue warrants a serious investigation.
“Hi Nyakundi. Please keep my identity confidential. I have come across some troubling information regarding Kenya Airways and how they are misusing funds that were meant for the Safari Rally. This issue definitely warrants investigation by Parliament to ensure proper accountability,” another source told the blogger.
While the sponsorship should be a gesture for their top-tier customers to experience the Rally, this is not happening. Instead, it is being reserved for their staff and families.
During the 2025 WRC Safari Rally, Kenya Airways transported over 100 of its employees to Naivasha, with all of them booked at high-end hotels like Lake Naivasha Resort (LNR) and Enashipai.
If you do the math, that amount of money could have easily sponsored 1,000 Rally enthusiasts for at least a day to watch the event.
The level of luxury and entitlement displayed by these staff and their families while staying in those tents is appalling.
The Government of Kenya needs to question the management of the Kenya Airways why the airline is spending so much money on sending staff to the Rally, simply to enjoy holidays, while also paying service providers for tasks that the same staff members could have actually done.
“In my view, it would make sense to send staff only if they were offering services that couldn’t be done remotely, but instead, they are just joyriders, booked into hotels for the event. This excessive spending only explains the airline’s financial losses,” writes Nyakundi.
“Moreover, they spend significant amounts on merchandise that ends up being consumed only by their own staff. These are questions that need to be asked now so that we can fully understand the situation. It’s no surprise that Safaricom chose not to participate or support the Rally this year.”