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Gregoire Munster from LUX navigated by Louis Louka driving FORD Puma crosses a river at Soysambu Ranch during WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]
More new routes will be introduced in WRC Safari Rally next year as the government plans to re-apply for extension of hosting rights as the current one expires next year.
Having hosted the WRC event for the past five years since 2021 after a hiatus of 19 years, plans are underway by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the government to commence re-application for extension of the hosting contract.
WRC Safari Rally course clerk George Mwangi confirmed they plan to introduce new routes and hoped to extend their hosting rights beyond 2027.
He said the new routes will be confined within the same circuit of Naivasha in next year's event.
"By coming up with new routes annually, it was a way of expanding the scope of the event, which allows the drivers to drive in different sceneries in one of the toughest and roughest rallies in the world of motorsports," Mwangi told Standard Sports. This year, the event covered 383.1 km.
"As the current hosting contract expires next year, definitely the Local Organising Committee of WRC Safari Rally with the blessings and support of the government, is ready and will submit her re-application for extension of hosting beyond next year," said Mwangi.
The current contract was effected in 2021 for six years by the previous administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Asked when they'll tender their letter to International Automobile Federation (FIA), Mwangi referred us to WRC Safari Rally Chief Executive Officer Charles Gacheru and top officials in the Ministry of Sports.
Ott Tanak from Estonia navigated by Martin Jarveoja driving Hyundai car crosses a river at Soysambu Ranch during the 2025 WRC SafariRally in Naivasha, on March 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]
In the meantime, no driver has been involved in any accident with the wildlife since the start of the rally on Thursday.
That resulted from their strict safety measures according to Mwangi who said that it had involved all stakeholders involved in the sport.
"We have had no accident so far involving the drivers against the wildlife now and for the past two years. That explains our seriousness in our safety measures," he said
Mwangi said the International Automobile Federation (FIA) was always keen on these safety measures in all their events globally, and Kenya was not an exception.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
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