Rally lovers are in for a shock after the government yesterday banned partying near spectator zones during the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Naivasha.

The Ministry of Sports issued a statement stating only few individuals would be allowed into the designated spectator zones.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed, they had developed a detailed spectator guide which would be followed to the letter.

“The attendees will be allowed into the spectator zones two hours to the start of the race and there will be no partying or dancing near the designated spectating zone,” she said.

She noted that only authorised spectators in groups of 20 would be allowed into the zones with organisers keen to make sure that health protocols were fully observed.

“Drivers, rally navigators and technical personnel will be operating from exclusive high density areas that are zoned-off and inaccessible to guests and members of the public,” she said.

She also banned partying at the spectator zones while ordering that entertainment joints be closed by 7pm.

The move spells doom for hundreds of revellers with several events organised from Friday to Sunday in Naivasha, Gilgil and Nakuru during the event.

A rally enthusiast Sam Mwangi told of his disappointment after learning that only a handful of people would be allowed into the spectator zones.

“All the excitement is on social media where Naivasha is trending but things on the ground are different as the full reality sinks in,” he said.

He said that the fun lay in watching the cars drive through the dusty and bumpy roads adding that the new protocols had killed their expectations.

“We have come to painfully learn that only a handful of people will be allowed into the spectator zones meaning thousands will be locked out and this is unfair,” he said.

One of the event organisers Billy Muturi Mungai was however quick to note that they had met all the laid down health protocols during their planned events.