Ruto officially flags off 2025 World Safari Rally
President William Ruto on Thursday, March 20, 2025, officially flagged off the 2025 World Safari Rally Championship ahead of the grueling motor racing showdown in the Rift Valley town of Naivasha.
The President was accompanied by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in the event held outside the Nairobi City Hall way in Nairobi.
With the flagging-off, the racing event now enters the next stages with action heading to Kasarani stadium for the initial leg dubbed the Super Special Stage (SS1).
The rally will run for four days with the curtain set to fall on Monday, March 23, 2025.
Speaking during the event, Ruto revealed the financial implications of hosting the event as he welcomed visitors from across the globe for the series’ third stop in Kenya.
“It’s my pleasure to officiate the flagging ceremony of the WRC rally, which is undoubtedly the best running leg in the world. I congratulate the organisers of this 72nd edition for once again putting Kenya on the global sports tourism map. I have it on the authority of the WRC that the FIA reports that Safari Rally is one of the most anticipated, eagerly talked about events in the world,” Ruto said.
The president additionally thanked the private partners’ role in facilitating the hosting of the world-class event. He further expressed his vision of seeing the private partners fully taking the control of the hosting and advantage limitless marketing opportunities in the process.
Financial cost
During the event, the head of state confirmed that the event would cost Kenyan taxpayers Ksh980 million which according to him was a significant reduction from the initial astronomical sums expended in previous editions.
“The future of safari rally depends on increased private sector participation. I remember that this rally cost Kenya government 2.1 billion in 2023. I did give very firm instructions to the ministry that the figure should come down. I am happy that in 2024 it came down by 800 million to Ksh1.3B and I insisted that this year it must cost less for the government of Kenya. I’m happy again that it came down by Ksh320M and this year it going to cost Ksh980M,” he said.
“I want to encourage the private sector. I look forward to the day when this will cost zero for the government of Kenya and private sector will take it up because they need the advertising and profiling. The government is very willing to cede and allow the private sector to shine in the glory of this event,” he urged.
Bring family
Ruto concluded by welcoming Kenyans to join and savour the nostalgic spectacle in wait as the motor racing drivers go head-on in an action-packed four days.
“To all Kenyans and visitors. Welcome to Kasarani and welcome to Naivasha for the WRC safari rally stay safe and bring your families along and enjoy this spectacle. We anticipate the WRC will be one the toughest yet one of the most exciting edition ever,“ he concluded.
