The 2026 World Rally Championship Safari Rally programme begins today (Monday) with the official reconnaissance (recce) for Priority One and Two drivers even as organisers warn crews to expect slippery conditions following heavy rains in most parts of the country.
The fabled WRC Safari Rally will cover cumulative distance of 842.9 kilometres that includes a competitive distance of 350.02km. It will take place in Naivasha from March 12 to 15.
Two Rally2 crews, including two Kenyan drivers, will also conduct pre-event testing at the Ndulele Conservancy, situated about 30km on the southern edge of Lake Naivasha in Nakuru County.
Monday's session will give crews a taste of competition conditions and a chance to fine-tune their cars, something local competitors have missed out on because the 2026 Kenya National Rally Championship failed to take off.
The WRC Safari Rally Clerk of the Course George Mwangi said incessant rains are a cause for concern for his team, but assured crews that contingency plans are in place.
Sections of the route that have become water logged may be either be cancelled, or be rerouted. Of concern are the 8km stretch of the route in Soysambu, and a 6km forested section in Loldia, which could be difficult for ambulances to reach.
Mwangi also pointed out two river crossings in Soysambu, indicating that should water levels rise beyond safe limits, those will be omitted as well.
“The majority of the itinerary is still drivable, but the weather can be unpredictable. Apart from that, there are no major obstacles. We’re on schedule to start the rally on Thursday,” Mwangi added.
It promises to be a busy day for route marshals located in the Sleeping Warrior stage, where a section of the road is submerged in water.
Meanwhile, the knocked down Rally1 cars kits have arrived and will this morning be unpacked and rebuilt at the Service Park located at the Kenya Wildlife Training and Research Centre in Naivasha.
The road going cars with rally specifications have been delivered and were prepared on Sunday for Monday's gruelling recce.
“This Safari Rally is especially tricky after high traction cars that go first, creating deep ruts. Over revving could damage clutch plates, so we’ll have to tackle certain sections very carefully,” he explained. Okundi and Wahome will compete in a Skoda Fabia R5 car.
All overseas participants have set up camp at the Kenya Wildlife Training and Research Centre in Naivasha, re-assembling the cars as the drivers remained in Nairobi and in Naivasha, taking time off before the rigorous competition.
Two time African champion Karan Patel, now backed by KCB Bank, is hoping luck will finally turn in his favour after a string of setbacks over the past four seasons.
“I’m counting on 2026 being a different story,” the driver who will compete in a Skoda Fabia car said on Sunday.
Competition proper starts on Thursday. The morning session will feature a “Shakedown” followed by the 8km Mzabibu segment, and the 15km Camp Moran stage, after which the cars will retire for an overnight service break.
