Kedong stage roars with thrilling action despite low turnout at WRC Safari Rally opener

Kedong, a popular spectator stage of the Safari Rally Kenya recorded a noticeably low turnout of fans on the second day of the rally in Naivasha, creating a subdued atmosphere at an event that is traditionally known for massive crowds and vibrant fanfare.

Contrasted to Mzabibu stage, which was the last stage of the day, the numbers were slightly lower. This particular stage attracted a hundred of fans and also hosted the rally village where the rally entertainment set the tempo high with artist performance expected to set the rally mood at the venue.

Unlike previous years when thousands of rally enthusiasts thronged the viewing points (Kedong) to catch a glimpse of the high-speed machines in action, this year many spectator areas appeared less crowded despite clear skies and favourable weather conditions.

At the Kedong spectator stage, however, a group of Ugandan rally fans stood out among the crowd. A convoy of buses and minibuses decorated in Ugandan colours drew attention as the enthusiastic fans waved flags and cheered loudly whenever rally cars roared past.

Their excitement blended with that of Kenyan supporters, bringing some life to the stage even as the overall attendance remained lower than expected.

Those who turned up for the rally did so in style, with many fans, more so women, showcasing fashionable outfits as they enjoyed the day’s motorsport action.

The reduced turnout of fans was also reflected in the number of businesses operating around the spectator zones. Only a handful of traders had set up stalls to serve the crowd.

Several Nyama choma zones were visible within the spectator area, though their numbers were fewer compared to previous editions of the rally.

According to traders, the high cost of licences and multiple regulatory requirements discouraged many small-scale vendors from operating at the venue.

Joel Mugendi and his counterpart Miachel Njoroge , a trader at the Kedong spectator area, says that running a mobile liquor business at the rally requires several permits, including a liquor licence, fire clearance, liquor application receipt, public health certificates for employees, a certificate of good conduct, a fire extinguisher and a Single Business Permit.

He noted that the combined cost of these requirements amounts to about Sh150,000, a figure many traders find difficult to raise.

“Last year we had many vendors here selling drinks and food, but this year the cost of meeting all the requirements has locked many of them out,” Mugendi says, mentioning with the shrinking number of fans each year more business are skeptical on doing business at the rally fearing not to meet their return on investment. 

Despite the low turnout among spectators and businesses, the action on the rally course remained thrilling, with powerful rally machines tearing through the stages at breathtaking speeds.

Speaking during an interview at the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute, Takamoto Katsuta of Toyota Gazoo says the second day began with clear skies that provided good driving conditions during the morning stages.

Katsuta, who is competing in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, noted that despite the favourable weather, the rally stages remained unpredictable, with several drivers encountering punctures during the early runs.

“You never know until you get a puncture, and that is something you will easily regret afterwards,” he says, adding that lessons from last year’s rally have influenced his approach to the early stages of the competition.

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