For years, the WRC Safari Rally shakedown—the high-speed dress rehearsal where teams fine-tune their beasts before the clock starts ticking—has been an exclusive affair. Hidden away in the private, undulating tracks of the Loldia Conservancy, it was a spectacle reserved for VIPs, media, and those with rugged off-road vehicles. But come March 2026, the velvet rope is being cut.

In a move set to democratize the thrill of the rally, organizers have confirmed that the 2026 shakedown will move to Nawisa, a publicly accessible site owned by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute. Situated just off the highway and directly opposite the Service Park in Naivasha, the new venue means the average fan can now witness the raw power of a Rally1 hybrid machine without needing a Land Cruiser or a special pass.

The 'People’s Shakedown' at Nawisa

The shift from Loldia to Nawisa is more than a logistical tweak; it is a cultural pivot for the event. WRC Safari Rally CEO Charles Gacheru has framed this as a win for the local mwananchi. "We expect the residents of Naivasha to really enjoy themselves for the first time because they don't need a 4x4 to go to the shakedown," Gacheru noted. "They can just walk across the road."

The 5.4km Nawisa stage will host the test runs on the morning of Thursday, March 12, 2026. Unlike the remote Loldia stage, which required navigating private conservancy tracks, Nawisa is located near the GK Prisons entry, making it accessible by foot or matatu from Naivasha town. This accessibility is expected to draw record crowds, injecting a stadium-like atmosphere into what was previously a quiet technical exercise.

Nairobi Dropped: The Kasarani Heartbreak

However, the 2026 edition brings a bittersweet trade-off. For the first time since the rally’s return to the World Rally Championship in 2021, the iconic Kasarani Super Special Stage (SSS) in Nairobi has been axed. The ceremonial start, traditionally held at the KICC or Uhuru Park, will also move to Naivasha.

The decision is driven by strict FIA regulations. Article 10.2 of the 2026 sporting rules mandates that the rally must run from Thursday to Sunday. The logistical nightmare of moving cars, crews, and equipment 100km from Nairobi to Naivasha within the tight four-day window proved impossible to sustain. "If we were to try and force it into the itinerary, we would fall foul of the regulations," Gacheru explained.

This means Nairobi residents, who are used to the Thursday afternoon spectacle at Kasarani, will now have to travel to Naivasha to catch any of the action. The capital's loss is Nakuru County's gain, as the entire event—from the recce to the Power Stage—will now be concentrated in the Rift Valley.

Economic Shift: Naivasha Takes It All

The consolidation of the rally in Naivasha is expected to supercharge the local economy of Nakuru County, potentially surpassing the numbers seen in 2025. The 2025 edition, won by Toyota's Elfyn Evans, continued the trend of massive economic injection, with previous years generating over KES 38 billion in total economic value.

With the removal of the Nairobi leg, the "rally dollar"—spent on accommodation, food, transport, and entertainment—will be almost exclusively spent in Naivasha and its environs. Hoteliers and small-scale traders in the lakeside town are bracing for a week-long boom, as the rally village at the Service Park becomes the sole epicenter of the event.

• Dates: March 12–15, 2026
• Total Distance: Approx. 350km competitive distance
• Key Stages: Nawisa (Shakedown), Camp Moran, Sleeping Warrior, Hell's Gate (Power Stage)

While the Nairobi crowd may feel shortchanged, the 2026 Safari Rally promises a more compact, intense, and fan-centric experience. By opening the shakedown to the public, the event is returning to its roots—not just as a technical contest for manufacturers, but as a festival for the people.