The WRC Safari Rally Kenya is set to get underway today, Thursday, March 12, in Naivasha following days of final preparations by teams and drivers across East Africa.
The rally, which runs from March 12 to 15, also marks the opening round of the African Rally Championship season, drawing strong participation from crews across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania eager to test themselves on one of the toughest events in global motorsport.
In the lead up to the start, rally teams spent the first week of March finalising travel and logistical arrangements, transporting cars, spare parts and equipment to the Naivasha service park while confirming entries in the WRC support categories.
Uganda has sent one of its largest contingents to the event, with the teams earlier flagged off in Kampala by the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda.
The Ugandan line up includes Oscar Ntambi with co driver Asuman Muhammadi in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X in the ARC2 class, Yasin Nasser alongside Ali Katumba in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, team captain Duncan Mubiru partnered with Joseph Kamya in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI in ARC2, and Timothy Gawaya with Francis Wamala.
Fans from Uganda have also been encouraged to travel to Kenya to support the crews as they compete in the high profile rally.
Famous for its rough terrain, dust, deep sand and occasional wildlife crossings, the Safari Rally is widely regarded as one of the most demanding rallies in international motorsport.
For African drivers, the event offers a rare chance to compete against leading global crews while earning valuable championship points.
With teams in place and preparations complete, attention now turns to the opening stages as the rally begins today in Naivasha.
