Crazy traffic, kelele ya Subaru boys; why the WRC is starting to lose its popularity with Nakuru residents
Jasmeet Chana and his sibling navigator Ravi Chana in action during 2022 WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha.
It is one of the most sought-after events in the sporting calendar, attracting hundreds of local and international fans.
Thanks to the thrill, fun and excitement it always promises. The World Rally Championship (WRC) needs no introduction, at least not to the people of Nakuru.
The weekend event usually brings the town to a standstill thanks to the influx of people, including dignitaries, who are fans of the sport.
Past editions have been marked by some very memorable moments, and for those who love watching fast cars on the rough terrain, they always wish those moments would last forever.
But apart from the fun side, the WRC seems to have started to rub off the wrong way some of the locals, at least according to a poll conducted by Mtaa Wangu on social media.
We asked Nakuru residents what they disliked about the WRC in Naivasha and the options included the crazy traffic, the dust, kelele ya Subaru boys or the hype around it.
Many of those who voted chose the crazy traffic as their least favourite thing about the event, with kelele ya Subaru boys and dust tied for second and the hype around it coming in last.
We caught up with some of our audience members who took part in the poll to try and understand why they chose the various options presented to them.
"I have managed to attend two of the WRC events and I must confess that the traffic jams are usually very bad. I remember being stuck in traffic for up to six hours the first time," said Silas Baraza.
Despite being a fan, he dislikes the traffic jams.
"We avoided taking shortcuts because we were not sure of the routes, so we stayed on the main road and since I was with friends, we kept ourselves entertained by listening to music. That made the time go by quickly," he said.
Now, he says, he would rather watch the rally from the comfort of his living room to avoid any inconvenience.
Philipine Tele said Kelele ya Subaru boys was the deal breaker for her.
"I find it very annoying especially when I am on the road, they would drive by with the loud engines and I find it exaggerated. Why do young people enjoy it, I don't see anything amusing about it," said Philipine Tele.
Peter Gathu, on the other hand, says that the hype around the WRC is what he really dislikes.
"I feel that there is a lot of unnecessary hype around it and yet there are usually a lot of negative issues surrounding it. The biggest one is that it is not accessible to everyone. The event should be held where everyone can see and enjoy it," said Peter Gathu.
Let us know what you dislike most about the WRC on our X handle and in our Whatsapp group.