WRC Safari Rally officials have made slight changes in the run up to the 2024 edition which is slated for Naivasha and Nairobi from March 28 to 31.

Event Director Jim Kahumbura reveled that the ceremonial start of the iconic event has been moved from Uhuru Park to its traditional Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) venue where over 50 cars will be flagged off.

“The 71st edition of the WRC Safari returns to its traditional Easter holiday dates and it will be a nostalgic gesture to start the event at KICC which has served as the home of the iconic fixture over the years,” Kahumbura explained the change.

Last year’s Safari was flagged off at Uhuru Park in an attempt to accommodate more spectators. Uhuru Park has previously been run as the Safari’s Super Special Stage during the days of the FIA African Rally Championship.

“The cars will be flagged off from KICC on March 28 before heading to Kasarani Stadium for the SSS (Super Special Stage) which will mark the first speed test of the event. We expect more crowds to throng the Kasarani SSS venue given that it will be a free Easter weekend for the fans,” Kahumbura, a former Kenya Group N drivers’ champion said. Kahumbura noted that this year’s itinerary is more or less similar to what was used in 2021 and 2022 after which the start was moved to Uhuru Park in 2023.

In a bid to manage traffic quagmire in Naivasha, the Event Director also noted that the Safari program will finish at the Hell’s Gate Power Stage. Previously, Hell’s Gate has coincided with the WRC TV live program to award the podium finishers after the Power Stage, with the prize giving proper being held at Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) in Naivasha.

“We don’t want a repeat of a scenario where rally cars return back to the service park area for prize giving. This year, everything will culminate at Hell’s Gate and this is a deliberate move to manage the chaotic traffic situation that has been witnessed in Naivasha since the return of WRC status,” said Kahumbuara.

On competitive stages, Kahumbura noted that the organization has changed the Sleeping Warrior by moving its flying finish further ahead whilst the Kedong stage will be run in reverse direction. Kahumbura was speaking during the Sports Ministry’s stakeholder breakfast held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi.

He added that “apart from minor changes made to the Sleeping Warrior and Kedong speed tests, the rest of the competitive runs will remain intact. The Wildlife Institute will still continue hosting Rally HQs and Service Park. Kedong has since been adjudged by world rally teams as the toughest stage of Safari given its notorious soft volcanic ash.