Excitement has filled the lakeside town of Naivasha, as local and international tourists flock into the town to witness the iconic World Safari Rally Championships (WRC) which kicks off next Thursday; March 28 to 31.
Speaking in Naivasha during a reconnaissance tour of the 250kilometer route to be used by the rally drivers, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youths Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Ababu Namwamba said he was satisfied with preparations which he termed topnotch.
He welcomed all Kenyans and foreigners to the lakeside town to have fun and enjoy the iconic event which will take place on the Easter Weekend.
Ababu said unlike in the past, an excellent plan was in place to avoid traffic snarl-ups especially along the Nairobi – Nakuru highway, adding that they have deployed a whole Government approach in organizing the event in order to ensure Kenya reaps maximum benefit from it.
The CS said Kenya is privileged and proud to host this event which is one of the Only 13 such world events that take place in the World and the only one in Africa and will be watched by over two billion people worldwide which is incredible branding for the country.
“We have seized this opportunity for the fourth time running now and we are not letting it go and we missed it for 19 years,” Ababu said.
He also said unlike last year where bazaars were set up at specific places for Kenyan to sell their wares as they interact with the rally, this time round the bazaars will be scattered in various places but controlled.
President William Ruto will flag off at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, and after flag off the motorcade will proceed to Kasarani National stadium for a short exhibition and afterwards, head to Service Park in Naivasha which is the nerve centre of the event.
The event which takes various routes in Naivasha namely; Malewa, Loldia, Elementaita, Soysambu with various spectator stages along the routes and terminate at the Hells` Gate National Park, where various closing events, including celebrating the winners will be held.
Kenya Police Traffic Commandant for Nairobi Unit Mr. Eric Kiragu on his part announced that partying and selling alcohol from vehicles along the Moi-Southlake Road during the event has been banned in order to ease the flow of traffic.
Kiragu also declared parking on the side of the Nairobi – Nakuru highway, all the way up to Pipeline in Nakuru will not be allowed and any vehicle found parked will be towed away and action taken aginst the owner.
He revealed that have assembled a contingent of security apparatus to ensure a smooth and successful event. Security officers will man main areas and routes that the rally cars will be using visitors were expected at the WRC event this year but all security measures have been put in place ahead of the kickoff on Thursday
Naivasha town which is a renowned tourism and conferencing destination boasts of over 3,000 bed units in the hospitality facility.
The WRC Safari Rally Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Charles Gacheru on his part said his team had worked out everything to the last detail, including licenses, insurance among other issues and it is all systems go for the international event.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police from the Inspector General’s (IG) office Mr. Stephen Etyang, said security was paramount during this year`s event and urged everyone to attending the event to strictly adhere to the traffic rules.
The Safari Rally was first held in 1953, as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1960 it was renamed the East African Safari Rally and kept that name until 1974, when it became the Kenya Safari Rally. It then evolved to the current modern-day WRC.
By Mabel Keya-Shikuku
