The iconic World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally—to be held in Naivasha from Thursday for four days involving 46 drivers—has always been a significant and huge economic boost to the country.
For the first time since its inception in 1953, the rally will have its ceremonial start and shakedown away from Nairobi to comply with new Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile regulations requiring the event to run for four days.
The move to run the rally solely in Naivasha is also geared towards cutting costs, streamlining logistics to give crews ample working hour requirements. The fabled rally—which is to cover an accumulative distance of 842.9 kilometres that includes a competitive distance of 350.02km—will focus on Naivasha's iconic stages like Camp Moran and Mzabibu, allowing for more concentrated fan engagement.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya made changes at the event’s secretariat two weeks ago, bringing in the private sector to help run the event. However, the minister has yet to come out clear on who is in charge, hence creating the environment of uncertainty.
It’s our hope that these changes will not affect the status and allure that Nairobi and the country have offered for the past 72 years, with the event having regained its WRC status in 2021 after 19 years. We hope safety precautions too have been put in place considering that the ongoing heavy rains could have rendered some sections impassable, hence risky for both rally drivers and fans. Safari Rally has been a major sports tourism and economic driver attracting massive audiences, with 400,000 fans having attended the event in person last year, the biggest turnout since its return to WRC.
Over 100 million watched the rally globally across over 150 countries through television and digital platforms, making it the most watched event on the WRC calendar. There is rejuvenated interest in rallying, with motorsport talent cropping up across the region, including four crews from Rwanda set to make their debut, besides the usual allure of the leading top work teams in the championship.
