Security Team Deployed Ahead Of World’s Safari Rally At Naivasha
More than 1,000 police officers have been deployed to Naivasha to strengthen security during the World Rally Championship's Safari Rally to be held between July 24 to 27.
Deborah Chelangat 
In a statement on Tuesday, IG Hillary Mutyambai said the security is comprised of National Police Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, National Youth Service, and safety marshals. “They will provide total and round-the-clock security to all the participating stakeholders. The plan is executed in three tiers, before during and post-event,” he said. But he noted that some activities like traffic movements will be temporarily affected on the rally routes.
Over 50 rally drivers including 34 Kenyan racers are set to participate in this year’s Safari Rally.
The fabled Safari Rally has always mesmerized the world. Over the years, the annual event had gained ground as a legendary fixture in the global motorsports calendar before it was dropped from the FIA World Rally Championship and relegated to the African Rally Championship in 2003. Kenyan organizers returned to the drawing board to regain the event's lost glory.
Local tourism is set to benefit immensely from WRC's cumulative global TV audience of 850 million viewers across both the mainstream and social media. Hoteliers reported full bookings ahead of the event where around 30,000 visitors are expected in Naivasha. The rally will also benefit from 25 hours of live TV coverage in 155 TV markets.
Kenya is also hoping to plant 18 million trees across the Safari Rally route to celebrate the years the event has been out of the FIA series.
