Winners of the 2025 WRC Safari Rally pose for a photo during the award ceremony in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya, March 23, 2025. (Photo by Joy Nabukewa/Xinhua)
Last Sunday marked the exhilarating conclusion of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, celebrated with cheers and heartfelt accolades. The Kenyan President, William Ruto, expressed his sincere appreciation for the event’s safe and successful closure. His words captured a collective pride as he emphasized the essence of this rally. “To those who traveled from across our borders to those who joined us from within Kenya, your presence has made this rally a truly special and unforgettable experience,” Ruto warmly stated amidst the picturesque town of Naivasha, only about 90 kilometers northwest of bustling Nairobi. This was during the closing ceremony highlighting the third grand round of the 2025 WRC season.
Isn’t it fascinating how a vibrant event like this binds communities and nations, sparking joy and unity in an electrifying spectacle? For the first time since its remarkable comeback to the WRC calendar in 2021, the Safari Rally this year opened its doors to a larger audience than in the past four renditions. The excitement was palpable as tens of thousands of enthusiasts thronged the vibrant routes and gathered at the novel Rally Village located at Morendat Farm, Naivasha, over a magnificent four-day spectacle.
During Sunday’s nail-biting finale, the anticipation among supporters was evident as they made their way to Hell’s Gate National Park, joyously embracing the inevitable traffic snarls extending kilometers in celebration of the grand occasion.
President Ruto highlighted the prowess of Kenya in hosting top-tier sporting events, stating, “This rally, along with other major global events such as the African Nations Championship, Africa Cup of Nations, and Kenya Open, is ample demonstration that Kenya is more than capable of hosting world-class sporting events. These activities are the fuel that powers the growth of our economy, and we are committed to continuing to support them.”
As winners were celebrated, President Ruto honored the top three finishers with accolades. Elfyn Evans from Britain clinched the victory, with Estonia’s Ott Tanak securing the runner-up position, and Belgian world champion Thierry Neuville proudly taking the third spot. Adding a local touch to the victory stands, Carl Tundo, who placed 15th overall, was the first Kenyan to dash across the finish line—an achievement deservedly recognized.
“In surmounting these challenges, you have all demonstrated the resilience, skill, and fortitude needed to prevail in what is, without a doubt, one of the most grueling, brutal, and rugged motorsport fiestas in the world,” the president praised, encapsulating the sheer grit displayed by the competitors.
In a promising development on Saturday, it was revealed that the Kenyan government and WRC Promoter were in active discussions regarding an extension. The aim? To ensure that the legendary Safari Rally remains a fixture on the global championship stage beyond 2026. Presently, the current agreement is due to conclude next year, having previously extended the original five-year contract by an additional year in 2024.
This year’s invigorating Safari Rally featured an impressive 21 competitive stages, with competitors ripping through a total rally distance of 384.86 kilometers. Astoundingly, this made it the longest rally of the 14-round 2025 WRC season—a true testament to its relentless nature.
As the dust settles and the buzz of engines cease, one can’t help but ponder the profound impact of this rally—not just on the participants, but also on communities brought together by shared spirit and ambition. And as our lives return to the quiet ebb and flow, we reminiscence on moments that captured both our hearts and imaginations at this extraordinary chapter of the WRC Safari Rally.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
