NAIROBI, Kenya – The engines are roaring and the adrenaline is pumping—Kenya’s most grueling motorsport event, the WRC Safari Rally 2025, has officially kicked off.
But beyond the thrill of the race, President William Ruto made a headline-grabbing announcement at the flag-off ceremony: Kenya is revving up efforts to train its own rally drivers and mechanics, with support from Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Ruto’s speech, delivered at the ceremonial flag-off, underscored the government’s commitment to developing homegrown motorsport talent.
“I am pleased to learn that the WRC Safari Rally project has initiated discussions with Toyota Gazoo Racing to train Kenyan drivers and mechanics,” he said.
“As a government, we will fully support this initiative.”
For a country with a deep rallying heritage but few recent local champions, this move could change everything.
And with the ongoing rains in Naivasha promising to make this edition even more electrifying, the 2025 Safari Rally is shaping up to be one for the books.
President Ruto: I am pleased to learn that the WRC Safari Rally project has initiated discussions with Toyota Gazoo racing team to train Kenyan drivers and mechanics. As government, we will fully support this initiative. #WRCSafariRally2025 ^MM
Kenya’s Big Bet: Training the Next Rally Champions
Motorsport fans know the Safari Rally as the ultimate test of endurance, but for Kenyan drivers, it’s also been a symbol of untapped potential.
Since Ian Duncan’s victory in 1994, no local driver has managed to claim the top spot in this world-renowned event. That could soon change.
The proposed partnership between WRC Safari Rally organizers and Toyota Gazoo Racing—one of the most dominant teams in rally history—could provide Kenyan drivers with the skills, technology, and experience to compete at the highest level.
The program is expected to focus on driver training, vehicle handling, mechanical skills, and race strategy, ensuring that Kenya isn’t just hosting the rally—it’s winning it.
Already, rising stars like Karan Patel, Carl Tundo, and Hamza Anwar are proving that local talent has what it takes. With structured training and manufacturer support, Kenya could soon be a force to reckon with in the WRC circuit.
President William Ruto flags off the 2025 WRC Safari Rally at KICC; event, running from today to Sunday, March 23, in Naivasha, to cost Kenyan taxpayers Sh980 million.#WRC2025
A Rain-Soaked Challenge: The Safari Rally Gets Wilder
If you thought previous editions of the Safari Rally were tough, brace yourself. The ongoing heavy rains in Naivasha are turning already brutal tracks into unpredictable battlegrounds.
Ruto, however, sees this as a bonus: “These rains are a blessing. They will make this one of the most exciting editions yet.”
And he’s not wrong. The rain adds a whole new layer of difficulty to the 384.86 km rally, making deep water crossings even riskier and muddy trails even trickier. Drivers will battle through iconic stages like:
- Camp Moran (32.2 km) – A true test of endurance on rough, slippery terrain.
- Mzabibu (12.36 km) – A stunning new vineyard-lined stage that will be as challenging as it is scenic.
- Hell’s Gate (Wolf Power Stage) – The legendary grand finale, where cars will take on a revised route near Fischer’s Tower, adding an extra technical challenge in the last stretch.
For rally fans, this means more drama, more action, and more unforgettable moments—whether you’re watching from Naivasha’s prime spectator zones or tuning in via WRC’s official livestream on YouTube.
ALL SYSTEMS GO : President William Ruto officially flags off the 2025 WRC Safari Rally, the toughest rally in the WRC series , true test of skill and endurance, rally not only challenges the world’s best drivers but also showcases #magicalkenya breathtaking landscape. The roar
Kenya’s Motorsport Future: A Race to Global Dominance?
With government backing, international partnerships, and a surge of local talent, Kenya is positioning itself not just as a host but as a rising motorsport powerhouse.
If this training initiative with Toyota Gazoo Racing takes off, we could see Kenyan drivers making waves on the global WRC stage within a few years.
For now, though, all eyes are on Naivasha. The engines are hot, the mud is thick, and the fight for the WRC Safari Rally 2025 championship has begun. Buckle up—it’s going to be one wild ride.
