Kenya’s economy is expected to reap big from this year’s WRC Safari Rally event set to be hosted in Naivasha between the 28th and 31st of March, according to the event’s director, Jim Kahumbura.
Kahumbura says they have set a series of activities ahead of the races that will see the country gain a whooping Ksh7 billion from the event.
Kahumbura further revealed that their preparations are in top gear to ensure it is a success and memorable for the rally enthusiasts who, are expected to grace the occasion.
“We have been working behind the scenes for the last three months to ensure the event is memorable.
“We are expecting more than 300 rally personnel who will participate in the event to arrive in the country 10 days before the rally and stay for another few days as they plan to visit places like Maasai Mara and Diani. We are also expecting the country to play host to foreign journalists and rally enthusiasts who will grace the event.
“I expect the country to get at least Ksh7B from the long list of visitors who will attend the event,” Kahumbura said.
The director also announced several itinerary tweaks in the run-up to the 2024 edition of the Safari Rally, with the ceremonial start of the iconic event being moved from Uhuru Park to Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Last year, the rally was flagged off at Uhuru Park in an attempt to accommodate more spectators but Kahumbura said they have decided to move the flag off to its traditional venue, KICC.
“The 71st edition of the WRC Safari returns to its traditional Easter holiday dates and it will be a nostalgic gesture to start the event at KICC which has served as the home of the iconic fixture over the years,” Kahumbura said.
“The cars will be flagged off from KICC on March 28 before heading to Kasarani Stadium for the Super Special Stage (SSS), which will mark the first speed test of the event,” he added.
The former Kenya Group N drivers’ champion also noted that the Safari program will be concluded at the Hell’s Gate Power Stage as a way of managing the traffic quagmire in Naivasha.
Hell’s Gate has previously coincided with the WRC TV live program to award the podium finishers after the Power Stage, with the prize-giving proper being held at Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) in Naivasha.
“We don’t want a repeat of a scenario where rally cars return to the service park area for prize giving. This year, everything will culminate at Hell’s Gate, a deliberate move to manage the chaotic traffic situation that has been witnessed in Naivasha since the return of WRC status,” he said.
On competitive stages, Kahumbura noted that the organization has changed the Sleeping Warrior by moving its flying finish further ahead whilst the Kedong stage will be run in reverse direction.
