The picturesque town of Naivasha has witnessed an exhilarating fusion of motor sport and tourism as the 2025 WRC Safari Rally Kenya draws throngs of local and international enthusiasts to its shores.
From adrenaline-pumping action on the rally tracks to the serene charm of its iconic lakes and national parks, Naivasha has emerged as a beacon of brisk business and thriving hospitality.
For hoteliers like Susan Muli Mwangi of Grand Tiara Hotel, the motor sport extravaganza has brought an unmissable surge in fortunes. “We are capitalizing majorly on our competence and resourcefulness,” Muli enthused, noting the full occupancy in hotels and a spill-over effect that has extended to boutique hotels, campsites, serviced apartments, and Airbnb listings. The region’s hospitality players have been forced to expand operations, setting up tents and outdoor seating to accommodate an overwhelming influx of guests.
The tourism revival extends beyond lodging. Local suppliers and traders are also reaping the benefits, with commodities like toiletries and farm produce now being sourced locally instead of from Nairobi. “We have had a lot of investments in serviced apartments, hotels, and guest houses in the last five years since the rally returned to Kenya,” Muli added. “The trickle-down effect has been immense, with new petrol stations, shops, and supermarkets sprouting up.”
According to the 2024 Tourism Performance Report, domestic tourism in Kenya recorded a 16% surge in bed night occupancy last year, reaching 9,992,721, while international occupancy numbers grew by 20% to 4,818,755. This upward trend has been amplified by the success of events like the WRC Safari Rally.
For businesses like Ken Mugo’s meat eatery, the rally has been a financial bonanza. “On a normal weekend, we do about five to eight goats in a day, but as of Wednesday, a weekday, we had already sold eight by mid-day,” Mugo shared. “At the club, we’ve seen an 80% improvement in sales, and we’ve had to outsource more drinks and supplies to meet the demand.”
As the rally continues to showcase Naivasha’s attractions, from the breathtaking Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru to Hell’s Gate National Park and the geothermal spa, hospitality players are urging the government to extend Kenya’s hosting rights beyond 2026. The substantial investments in tourism infrastructure underscore the region’s capacity to host such world-class events.
June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), emphasized the rally’s role in sustainable tourism growth. “It is gratifying to note that the rally participants will extend their stays after the championship to tour other parts of the country, including to the Kenyan coast besides Nairobi,” Chepkemei remarked.
With its blend of motorsport excitement and diverse attractions, Naivasha stands poised to elevate Kenya’s tourism profile even further, proving that the WRC Safari Rally is more than just a championship—it’s a catalyst for prosperity.
