Table of Contents
- Kenyan security apparatus are focused on the safety of all World Rally Championship Safari Rally participants
- National Police Service will bar long-distance truck drivers from parking along the Naivasha-Nakuru highway during the event
- The traffic department will use a police helicopter to monitor the traffic situation on all roads headed towards Naivasha from Nairobi and the Rift Valley
The 2025 WRC Safari Rally security plans are elaborate, the National Police Service reported on Thursday.
Kenyan security apparatus are focused on the safety of all World Rally Championship Safari Rally participants set to be held on March 20 – 23.
Speaking on Thursday in Upper Hill, Stephen Etyang, the Deputy Inspector General of Police said all security-related issues are addressed.
Etyang termed these measures as “stringent” adding that they are meant to maintain order over the rallying period. Expect to see more police on the ground during the rallying weekend.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police remarked that various security agencies will be working together during the event. This allows better coordination of security in all rallying venues.
“The coordination among various security agencies is commendable. Their combined expertise will ensure smooth operations throughout the rally period,” The Star reports.
There will be a heavy police presence at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.
These two spots will host the flagging-off ceremony of the 2025 WRC Safari Rally before the real action in Naivasha.
Specified spectator zones in Naivasha such as Hell’s Gate and Service Park will also have heightened security.
Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. Photo/Nairobi News
2025 WRC Safari Rally Security Plans
Some of the security measures taken by the National Police Service include barring long-distance truck drivers from parking along the Naivasha-Nakuru highway.
Staff Officer in the Traffic Department Eric Kiragu who accompanied Etyang at the security briefing reported.
Kikopey and Mai Mahiu are popular parking spots for long-distance truck drivers en route to Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Kiragu said that having trucks parked beside the road during the 2025 WRC Safari Rally will affect traffic flow and pose a major security risk.
The government through the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) and the Nakuru County Government will provide alternative parking spots.
Further, NPS will deploy over 1,000 traffic cops for the entire period the rally will be in place. Kericho and Kajiado counties will provide more police officers for the entire security operation.
Kiragu disclosed that the 2024 World Championship Safari Rally had 1,000 deployed in strategic places. This year, police officers will man all major roads leading to and from Naivasha 24 hours prior to the official start of the event.
ROVANPERA Kalle, HALTTUNEN Jonne in a Toyota GR Yaris in action at the 2024 WRC Safari Rally in Kenya. Photo Nikos Katikis / DPPI
Their work will be enforcing compliance by drivers with all traffic regulations. The traffic boss said this is to ensure traffic flows as required and for the safety of other road users.
Traffic gridlocks are a common phenomenon during major events in Naivasha mostly resulting from bad driving habits such as recklessness. The 2025 WRC Safari Rally is not an exception.
Will Some Roads be Closed?
A few major roads heading to Western Kenya, North Rift and Nyanza will be closed temporarily. Mai-Mahiu-Longonot highway heading to Naivasha will be closed from March 20 to March 23.
Travellers headed to Western and Nyanza will use the Mai-Mahiu-Narok highway. Those travelling to Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale, Njabini, Ol Kalou, Lanet, and Engineer will use the Thika-Gakoe-Magumu highway which exits at Flyover along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The traffic department will use a police helicopter to monitor the traffic situation on all roads headed towards Naivasha from Nairobi and the Rift Valley.
Will WRC be in Kenya in 2025?
The 2025 WRC Safari Rally will take place from March 20 to March 2023 in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya. Naivasha’s challenging terrain and scenic beauty suit the rallying challenge.
