The opening competitive stage ‘’SS3’ camp Moran 2 Friday’s action at the WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026 was cancelled due to deteriorating road conditions along the route after recent heavy rains on Thursday.
Following heavy downpour in Naivasha, the roads at Camp Moran were deemed impassable hence the cancellation.
The stage had initially been slated to start at 7:33am as part of the day’s early morning action in the rally taking place around Naivasha.oganisers announced that drivers would instead begin Friday’s action later in the morning to allow teams and marshals to adjust the schedule.
In a statement posted on the WRC (World Rally Championship) online platform, the organisation revealed that action would begin at 9.11 am at SS4 Loldia.
"SS3 Camp Moran 2 has been cancelled due to deteriorating road conditions. Today’s action will begin with SS4 at 09:11 (local)," the statement read.
Among the stages that were expected to run were SS5 KenGen Geothermal 1 at 10:29am and SS6 Kedong 1 at 11:22am before the rally resumes again in the afternoon.
The afternoon loop will include Kedong 2 at 2:05pm, KenGen Geothermal 2 at 3:03 pm, Loldia 2 at 4:01pm and Mzabibu 21 at 5:04pm.
Toyota’s dominance of the Safari Rally has been emphatic since the event returned to the World Rally Championship calendar. Ogier delivered victory in the 2021 edition, before Kalle Rovanpera triumphed in 2022.
Ogier reclaimed the title in 2023, with Rovanpera striking back to lift the crown again in 2024. Last year’s edition saw Evans crowned champion.
As part on tightening security, Ministry of interior has issued a warning over the use of drone at designated areas within Naivasha and its surrounding areas during WRC Safari Rally 2026.
The use of drones is NOT permitted in designated areas within Naivasha and surrounding areas during the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya 2026.
— Ministry of Interior | Kenya (@InteriorKE) March 13, 2026
Please familiarize with the Spectator Safety Guidelines. Respect the rules and take responsibility in helping keep the… pic.twitter.com/X2KKjPipIY
‘’Please familiarize with the spectator safety guidelines, respect the rules and take responsibility in helping keep the event safe.’’
The rally’s punishing terrain has historically been one of the defining characteristics of the Kenyan event, often leading to mechanical failures, punctures and stage adjustments.
Despite the cancellation of the first stage action, thousands of fans have gathered across viewing points in Naivasha to watch crews battle the challenging conditions in one of the toughest rounds of the WRC calendar.