Thrilling day one as Safari Rally engines roar across wet Naivasha terrain

Day one of the Safari Rally Kenya, the third round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), roared into life with a spectacle that transformed Naivasha town in Nakuru County into a vibrant hub of engines, colour and excitement.

Residents and visitors alike gathered in large numbers to witness the thrilling start of the 2026 edition of the iconic motorsport event.

The rally action began with the morning shakedown at Nawisa, offering fans an early glimpse of the powerful rally machines before the competitive stages began.

Unlike previous editions where the shakedown was largely restricted and mostly held in Nairobi City, this year’s session was opened to the public, allowing residents and visiting fans to experience the high-speed action up close.

From early morning, crowds streamed into the area braving muddy terrain and intermittent rain to catch a glimpse of drivers testing their machines. Engines roared across the track as the rally cars sliced through the wet surface, sending sprays of mud into the air while spectators cheered from the sidelines.

For many residents, it was a rare opportunity to see the rally cars up-close during the shakedown.

Some locals described the experience as a first of its kind noting that the session has traditionally been a closed event.

For Michael Murage, a vendor selling caps and flags near the Nawisa area, the rally atmosphere translated into brisk business despite the chilly weather.

“I had great sales of caps and umbrellas since part of the day was rainy. However, my regret for the day was not having a well-balanced collection of flags. Our East African neighbours are in Naivasha both from Tanzania and Uganda,” Murage said.

Murage said he now plans to restock ahead of the next rally stages.

“My task now is to get hold of these flags and more flag-printed lesos for day two of the rally,” he added.

Eager fans 

Meanwhile, excitement continued to build along Mau Mau Road in Naivasha near the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute where spectators lined up to witness the official ceremonial flag-off of the rally cars.

Hundreds of fans stood by the roadside cheering as the brightly coloured rally cars sped past waving flags and blowing of vuvuzelas.

For many residents, seeing the drivers and cars up close rekindled the spirit of the historic rally that has long been part of Kenya’s sporting identity.

Beyond the rally action, the town itself had taken on a festive mood.

At the WRC Rally Village in Mzabibu, artists from across the country are expected to perform and interact with fans adding an entertainment dimension to the motorsport spectacle.

Elsewhere, locally organised events have sprung up across Naivasha, giving rally fans a wide range of activities to choose from throughout the weekend.

Local entertainment spots and event curators are keen to capitalise on the rally crowds with events such as Kikuyu Festival 3.0 drawing both visitors and residents eager to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

At the ceremonial flag-off held at the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki presided over the event marking his first attendance at the rally in his capacity as Deputy President.

Among those present were Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, MPs Irene Njoki (Bahati) and Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), and Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibara.

Prof Kindiki said the government would continue supporting the rally financially while encouraging greater private sector participation in organising the global event.

“Paying the promoter fees and the fees that are supposed to be paid to the federation costs nearly Sh400 million. We will continue with that, but we are also encouraging the private sector to have a greater say in the organisation and running of this event,” he said.

The Deputy President also revealed that the government plans to invest in nurturing young rally drivers to help grow the sport locally.

“As the minister has said, we are looking forward to nurturing younger drivers and providing a pipeline for rally drivers into the future. I am told the curriculum is almost ready and the vehicles have been availed,” he said.

The DP added that by the time the rally returns in 2027, the country hopes to have made significant progress in developing young rally talent.

“By the time we return here in 2027, we will have progress to report in terms of what we are doing to nurture younger rally drivers early so that we can promote the sport,” he noted.

He also assured fans and participants that the government had put in place adequate security and safety measures along the rally routes.

“The government has deployed enough security across all the routes. We have enough security officers and support infrastructure to make this rally a huge success,” he said.

In a light moment, the Deputy President joked that he had managed to avoid being placed in one of the high-speed rally cars as President William Ruto has done in previous years.

“I was fearful that they would put me in a rally car but I have negotiated myself out of that request. I will watch the cars from afar because these machines are driven very fast,” he said with a laugh.

He invited both local and international fans to enjoy the rally weekend, describing Kenya as the ultimate destination for motorsport enthusiasts.

“Magical Kenya is the place to be this weekend. We are looking forward to the best teams winning the manufacturers, the drivers and everyone involved. May the best teams win,” he said.

However, unlike the traditional ceremonial start often held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, this year’s Naivasha flag-off presented a different atmosphere.

Amos Lagat, a rally enthusiast who travelled from Kiambu to watch the rally, said the KICC ceremonial start remains his favourite.

“Contrary to what we have in Nairobi, I feel the Naivasha flag-off was low-key which is a step down from the Nairobi one. There was no ramp and the crowd energy was not as vibrant. I know the spectator stages are always a vibe but the flag-off did not meet my expectations,” Lagat said.

Residents noted the contrast between the two settings.

While the Nairobi ceremony is often characterised by large urban crowds and a formal atmosphere, the Naivasha start offered a more intimate and grassroots experience, with local residents taking centre stage in celebrating the rally.

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