The roar of high-performance engines, clouds of dust and the excitement of rally fans set the stage as drivers took to the course during the shakedown of the 2026 Safari Rally Kenya in Naivasha.
Drivers used the shakedown session to fine-tune their machines ahead of the gruelling competition that forms part of the World Rally Championship, offering fans a first glimpse of the speed, skill and precision expected over the coming days.
Among the participants was the Ford Fiesta participating in the RC2, driven by Hamza Anwar with M. Chaudhry serving as navigator.
The pair navigated the rough terrain with measured control as mechanics and team members closely observed performance and vehicle response.
The shakedown provided drivers with a crucial opportunity to test their rally cars under real conditions before the official competitive stages began.
Fans lined the dusty tracks, cameras in hand, cheering as the machines thundered past, leaving trails of red Naivasha earth hanging in the air.
Nakuru County is once again experiencing a significant economic boost as the globally renowned rally returns to the region.
Rally car participating during the shakedown at the 2026 WRC in Naivasha on March 12, 2026 / KEVIN MACHARIA
The 2026 edition of the event is expected to attract an estimated 600,000 spectators over the three-day motorsport spectacle.
The rally, running from March 12 to March 15, has drawn 46 drivers, including 17 Kenyan competitors, highlighting the growing local participation in the international motorsport event.
Since its return to Kenya in 2021, the Safari Rally has steadily evolved into one of the country’s most important global sporting attractions, bringing thousands of visitors, investors and international media to the lakeside town of Naivasha.
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