NAIVASHA, Kenya, January 28- Kenya is ready to host the 2025 WRC Safari Rally in March, the country’s Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya affirmed on Tuesday.
The newly-appointed minister was speaking at the WRC Safari Rally headquarters in Naivasha on his induction site visit for the global event that will be held from March 20-23.
This year’s Safari Rally will be the third round of the 2025 WRC series, following stops in Monaco and Sweden.
During the visit, Mvurya and a high-powered team from the sports ministry met with the Oversight and Local Organizing committees of the 2025 WRC Safari Rally, local leaders, and sponsors.
“This crucial meeting gives a good foundation for the organization of the WRC Safari Rally.
“We are coming in as a very strong team because we have experience organizing this event,” Mvurya said.
The CS further confirmed that most of the Safari Rally—which made it’s return to the WRC calendar in 2021—will be held in Naivasha, Nakuru County, for the foreseeable future.
“Safari Rally is important because of the serene beauty of the Nakuru County and Naivasha.
“Kenya has been mapped out globally as the best country of the WRC events calendar,” Mvurya underscored.
The minister announced the formation of a low-level committee that incorporates the area leaders and LOC to ensure the local community benefits from the global event.
“We have a whole government approach. The Safari Rally has brought together the whole government to make this event a success.
“This is the way we shall be doing our business; we don’t want to leave anybody behind. We want everyone to participate for the success of the event, and we leave something behind after the rally.”
He backed the LOC team led by the Chief Executive Officer, Charles Gacheru, to deliver a better event than last year.
“Safari Rally has greater benefits of profiling our country for tourism trade and other benefits.
“I’m confident the CEO and the team are up to the task and they will host a successful event. This is a world-class event.”
Speaking at the same function, the Principal Secretary for Sports, Peter Tum, emphasized environmental conservation and supporting the community would be at the heart of the Safari Rally.
“We have a good rating for organizing an international event.
“This year’s Safari Rally will not be like last year’s because we’ve listened to the people.
We are on the right footing going forward,” Tum said.
Local leaders pledged to support the Safari Rally and mobilize their communities to be part of the heritage and legacy of the iconic motorsports event.
“Safari Rally has put our Naivasha on the world map. If there is any marshalling and training for youth from this area to serve during the rally, let it be done in good time so that the region can benefit from the WRC Safari Rally,” long-serving Member of Parliament for Naivasha, Jayne Kihara said.
The 2025 WRC Safari Rally will officially be flagged off in Nairobi by President William Ruto on March 20.
The cars will then go to Kasarani for the Super Special Stage before the first competitive stage in Naivasha.
