World Safari Rally enthusiasts from across the globe have everything to smile about this weekend on Kenyan soil after President William Ruto officially flagged off the race at Kenya’s capital, the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
President Ruto flags off the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) at Nairobi, KICC
Despite facing uncertainty after Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Anne Nyoike on Wednesday nullified an agreement between the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the suspended Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) Chairman Maina Muturi who had no legal standing as it was executed in defiance of a court order barring him from managing the federation’s affairs, leaving the preparations of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) in a limbo.
President Ruto flags off the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) at Nairobi, KICC
President William Ruto on Thursday morning officially handed both participants and supporters a sigh of relief after the statesman official flagged off one of the world’s most coveted games. Finnish driver Kalle Rovanpera is keen to successfully defend his WRC Safari Rally title this weekend as he eyes a third title of the fabled toughest rally in the world.
The four-day event will be watched by over 85 million people globally, with 100,000 fans expected in person in Naivasha as the event will conclude with the Wolf Power Stage in Naivasha on Sunday.
This year’s thrilling edition runs from March 20 to March 23 in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The event will commence at the Super Special Stage at Kasarani, 16km west of the capital city.
The vehicles will then head to Naivasha for the day’s second stage in Mzabibu, a new stage for the WRC Safari Rally, and then retire for the day.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Team driver Kalle Rovanpera already showed his hunger after leading the times for yesterday’s shakedown and believes that is a good precursor for what he aims to achieve this weekend.
Rovanpera however expects a tougher rally and says this year’s conditions are even tougher.
