The Safari Rally Kenya lived up to its reputation on Saturday, providing a mix of challenging terrain and fierce competition. As drivers battled it out on the rally stages, spectators flocked to the routes making their way to the famous Sleeping Warrior stage.
The heightened turnout on Saturday caused heavy traffic, especially in areas like Kikopey, where congestion was a major issue.
AA Kenya took proactive steps to ensure road safety, setting up a campaign in Kikopey with their mascot and banners to encourage safe driving and awareness.
On the rally course itself, Elfyn Evans made a strong statement by securing two stage wins, extending his lead in the overall standings to 1 minute and 32.5 seconds by the midday break. His performance on Saturday morning was a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Safari Rally, a race notorious for its deep ruts, rocky tracks, and unpredictable weather conditions. Sections of the route, particularly in the early stages, resembled mud baths as drivers navigated through standing water and treacherous terrain.
Evans entered Saturday’s action with a narrow 7.7-second advantage over his Toyota GAZOO Racing teammate, Kalle Rovanpera. The Welshman wasted no time in asserting his dominance, performing brilliantly on the 26.97-kilometre Sleeping Warrior stage. Though he suffered rear tyre damage towards the end of the stage, Evans was able to push through and extend his lead by an additional 8.2 seconds, putting pressure on Rovanperä.
Rovanpera who had been in strong contention for the lead, faced a series of misfortunes that left him trailing. The two-time Safari winner’s morning took a turn for the worse on the Elmenteita stage. A front-right tyre deflation in the final five kilometres cost him valuable time, and he lost a significant 21.1 seconds to Evans. Things got even worse for Rovanperä on the next stage, Soysambu, where another puncture, this time on the front-left tyre that resulted in a further 55.5 seconds lost. By the time the crews reached the midday halt, Rovanpera was sitting 1 minute and 32.5 seconds behind Evans, a gap that would prove difficult to overcome.
While Rovanpera struggled, other competitors also faced their own challenges. Thierry Neuville of Hyundai, for example, had a rough start to the day, falling to fifth place after needing to stop and change a wheel on the opening stage. This allowed Takamoto Katsuta to move up to fourth position, despite a half-spin on Sleeping Warrior. Katsuta went on to record the fastest time on the 13th stage, but he still trailed Ott Tänak by 1 minute and 47.7 seconds at the midday service.
Meanwhile, in the WRC2 category, Jan Solans overtook Gus Greensmith to claim seventh overall, while also leading the class. Greensmith, who had a difficult start, was in eighth position overall. Sami Pajari remained unchallenged in sixth, while Grégoire Munster and Fabrizio Zaldivar completed the top 10.
As the rally unfolded, the spectator numbers on the roads continued to grow. As fans made their way to watch the action at Sleeping Warrior, it was clear that the Safari Rally was not only a battle of speed but also one of awareness. With traffic piling up in areas like Kikopey, AA Kenya’s road safety campaign proved timely.
The initiative was a welcome reminder to drivers to remain vigilant and considerate on the roads.
Despite the challenges faced by many drivers, including punctures and the unpredictable terrain, Saturday’s rally saw Evans demonstrate why he is one of the frontrunners in the 2025 World Rally Championship. As the rally continues, the focus will shift towards whether he can maintain his lead, or if Rovanpera and the others can mount a challenge in the coming stages. For now, Evans’ commanding lead has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting finish in the days ahead.