'Vasha tings': All roads lead to Naivasha for Safari Rally weekend

It will be all about ultimate speed and precision in the high-adrenaline action for the long-awaited 2023 WRC Safari Rally.

The World will join Kenyans in Naivasha yet again in experiencing the thrilling action of the WRC Safari Rally.

Naivasha is known to be a place of fun and memorable visits with wildlife spots, flower farms, luxury lodges and tourist attractions.

It’s also popular with unique experiences to locals and visitors as the ultimate partying destination in Kenya.

In this year's WRC Safari Rally 2023, there will be concerts on the sidelines of the rally.

Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer, Ali Kiba will be holding a concert among other Kenyan artists.

However, organisers of the rally have outlawed partying along the Moi South Lake road in Naivasha.

In partnership with the Nakuru county government, they also banned hawking along the roads that will be used by the rally cars to prevent traffic jam and insecurity.

In the last two events, traffic along the road and Naivasha-Mai Mahiu road was disrupted for hours due to the high number of revellers in the town.

On Thursday, participating drivers took part in the Kasarani Super Special Stage and Ceremonial start.

The Super Stage counted as the first speed test of the 19-stage WRC Safari Rally showpiece.

Fans were treated to the show by drivers including Japanese star and twice podium finisher in Kenya Takamoto Katsuta,  Pierre-Louis Loubet, Thierry Neville, Amin Kremer and Ott Tänak.

Katsuta and Tanak drove a Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) Yaris while Loubet had an M-Sport Ford Pumas and Kremer drove a Skoda Fabio EVO and Neville drove Hyundai. 

President William Ruto said the much-awaited 2023 WRC Safari Rally will promote tourism and create economic opportunities.

He said the government is capitalising on the WRC Safari Rally to broaden economic opportunities in the country.

The President said the event attracts more than 100,000 visitors, creating job opportunities worth Sh24.7 billion.