Record crowd turns up for 2025 WRC Safari Rally as focus shifts to 2026 edition

A record-breaking crowd of over 400,000 fans turned up for the 2025 WRC Safari Rally - the biggest attendance since Kenya returned to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar in 2021.

Safari Rally CEO Charles Gacheru revealed the figures during the official debrief of this year’s event, held from March 20–23 as the third round of the global rally series. He also confirmed that preparations for the 2026 edition are already underway.

“FIA reports show a surge in viewership - 400 percent more impressions and 53 percent more engagements. The data tells us the public is responding to what we are doing,” said Gacheru, citing WRC statistics.

One of the major attractions this year was the Rally Village at the newly introduced Mzabibu stage, which drew thousands of spectators throughout the week.

“The Rally Village worked very well. We estimate that over 400,000 people attended across the week — an incredible number. We’re urging fans to be patient next year to avoid the kind of traffic gridlock we experienced on the final day,” he added.

The last day of the event saw heavy congestion along Moi South Lake Road in Naivasha, as crowds streamed in to watch the dramatic finish at Hell’s Gate National Park. Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, the current WRC leader from Wales, secured the win, ahead of Hyundai’s Ott Tanak and reigning world champion Thierry Neuville.

Organisers introduced a number of changes this year, which were well received by the public.

“The crowd responded positively to moving the rally start to outside City Hall — it was a huge turnout. We did the same with the prize-giving at Hell’s Gate on the final day, and the response was overwhelming,” Gacheru said.

Fans travelled not just from across Kenya, but also from neighbouring East African countries and even as far as Finland and Estonia to support their favourite drivers.

The debrief brought together departments and stakeholders responsible for delivering the rally, including safety teams, radio coordinators, and stage commanders.

“Despite the challenges, they demonstrated exceptional dedication. I’m ecstatic to finally meet the force behind this global spectacle. I am truly impressed with the performance of our teams on the ground,” Gacheru added.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Safari Rally will mark the final edition under Kenya’s current agreement with the WRC Promoter. Talks are already underway to extend the contract and keep Kenya on the world rally calendar.

“Preparations for the 2026 WRC Safari Rally are already underway,” Gacheru confirmed. “The teams will be actively working on planning, execution timelines, and delivering on set objectives.”

Widely regarded as one of the toughest and most iconic races in the world, the WRC Safari Rally continues to stand out for its rugged terrain, breathtaking scenery, and unmatched fan energy.

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