In Pictures: WRC Safari Rally flag-off at KICC

Rally drivers assemble at KICC, Nairobi ahead of the WRC Safari Rally showdown. [Elvis Ogina, The Standard]

The big day is here as international and local rally drivers head to Naivasha for the four-day WRC Safari Rally mega-event.

President Uhuru Kenyatta flagged off the event at KICC in Nairobi on Thursday afternoon with its climax set for Naivasha.

The World Rally Championship is making a comeback in Kenya from today to Sunday after a 19-year absence.

The event was to return last year but failed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Yesterday, the Government through the Ministry of Sports discouraged groups of more than twenty people at any of the designated spectating zones along the circuit.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed urged Kenyans to observe Covid-19 containment measures during the event.

“All the Covid-19 protocols remain in place, nothing has been suspended. The rally takes place during the day, and We don’t expect multitudes of people congregating in Naivasha at night,” said CS Mohamed in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Security measures have also been put in place to ensure safety of fans according to the Principal Administrative Secretary for Interior Moffat Kangi.

Pictures:

President Uhuru Kenyatta at KICC with rally drivers. [Photo: PSCU]

[Elvis Ogina, The Standard]

[Elvis Ogina, The Standard]

[Elvis Ogina, The Standard]

[Elvis Ogina, The Standard]

Security beefed up ahead of the event. [Elvis Ogina, The Standard]

 [Elvis Ogina, The Standard]

Safari Rally stages

June 24

-Presidential and VIP Speeches at KICC

-Super Special Stage SSS 1 at Kasarani (Section 1)

June 25

-SECTIONS 1&2 /2&3 (Chui Lodge 1&2, Kedong 1&2, Oserian 1&2)

-Opening of media centre Service Park Naivasha

-Publication of start list for Section 4

June 26

-SECTIONS 4&5 -Service Park Naivasha (Elementaita 1&2, Soysambu 1&2 and Sleeping Warrior 1&2)

-Publication of start list for Section 6

June 27

- SECTION 6-Loldia 1 & Hell's Gate 1

-SECTION 7-Malewa, Loldia 2

-SECTION 8- Hell's Gate 2 (Wolf Power Stage)

-Finish Podium Ceremony

-Final Scrutineering