Kenya is Calling…….And The Answer Is Simple TWENDE KENYA!
By Mwambazi Lawrence
The dust has barely settled from the last rally, and already, engines are revving in anticipation ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time again! The WRC Safari Rally is calling, and Uganda has answered with a unanimous “Let’s go!” Some fans have already faked flu-like symptoms to prepare for sudden sick leaves, while others have declared urgent, week-long ‘family emergencies’ that just happen to coincide with the rally Others have even gone the extra mile and declared very convenient funerals for next week (we suspect these ‘funerals’ will be resurrected right after the rally). You see, missing the WRC Safari Rally is not an option it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gather stories for your grandchildren, stories that begin with: “Back in my day, I watched the Safari Rally LIVE in Kenya…”
If you walk into a rally workshop in Kenya right now, don’t expect a warm welcome unless you come bearing energy drinks or extra spanners. The mechanics are in full combat mode, covered in grease, speaking in a language only rally cars understand. The teams are working round the clock, tuning, tweaking, and tightening everything that can be tightened. The sound of spanners hitting the floor is like a national anthem. These machines are preparing for battle, because the Safari Rally doesn’t just test the driver it tests every nut, bolt, and washer in the car.
As the WRC teams prepare to descend into the heart of Africa, the real adventure begins next week with reconnaissance (recce) runs. With two rounds already done Rallye Monte-Carlo and Rally Sweden the championship standings are heating up! Elfyn Evans sits pretty on top with 61 points, while Sébastien Ogier lurks in second with 33 points. The defending champion Thierry Neuville is playing catch-up in fourth with 29 points, and Ott Tänak rounds off the top five with 26 points.
Toyota has been dominating the Safari Rally ever since its return in 2021, winning all four Kenyan rounds. The big question is will they extend their reign, or will another manufacturer rise to the occasion?
Kenya’s own Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan are gearing up to defend their African Rally Championship (ARC) title. This year’s ARC is looking highly competitive, with an impressive number of crews registering to battle it out across Africa. The WRC Safari Rally will also serve as the opening round of the ARC, with round two heading straight to Uganda. Yes, Uganda! Get ready for another motorsport showdown soon after Kenya’s dust settles.
Uganda’s representatives, Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba, will be setting off for Kenya this Saturday, while the other crew, Timothy Gawaya and Wamala Francis, will depart on Friday. Rally fans back home are already sending them good luck messages (and probably some last-minute shopping lists “Yasin, don’t forget to bring back Kenyan tea!”).
But the real party starts when the Ugandan rally fanatics hit the road on the 15th, heading in full force to cheer on their drivers. If you see a convoy of cars packed with people waving Ugandan flags and blasting music at full volume, you already know Safari Madness is in full gear! So If you see a car covered in rally stickers with passengers hanging out the windows screaming “FORZA!”just wave and give them space; they’re on a mission.
From Zambia to Tanzania, from Rwanda to Uganda, the message is clear: The WRC Safari Rally is here! Pack your bags, grab your flags, and let’s hit the road. Whether you’re a die-hard rally enthusiast or just looking for an excuse to escape work, Kenya is calling, and the answer is simple TWENDE KENYA!
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