BUSINESSSPORTS

Naivasha Welcomes Cash, Tourists as WRC Safari Rally Returns

Share
Guests pictured at a Naivasha hotel during a past event. [Photo/ A-Hotels]
Guests pictured at a Naivasha hotel during a past event. [Photo/ A-Hotels]
Share

With just a week left before the world’s top drivers zoom off in the WRC Safari Rally, Naivasha town in Nakuru County is reaping the benefits.

A spot-check reveals that several major hotels and luxury camps in the town are fully booked, as crews, fans and media from around the world gather for the rallying extravaganza. Hoteliers aren’t the only ones laughing all the way to the bank.

A spot-check by Business Today also revealed a major spike in AirBnB rental prices in Naivasha ahead of the event. Hosts on AirBnB are charging as much as Ksh15,000 a night for a stay in a one-bedroom apartment during the rally weekend, capitalizing on the fully-booked hotels and the search for accomodation.

Traders and vendors in the area are also set to reap big. Small businesses including restaurants and eateries are cashing in.

Many Kenyans are headed to the town for a fun-filled weekend with several events lined up – including the 30th edition of the popular Koroga Festival, this time to be headlined by reggae star Tarrus Riley.

READ>>TV Station Owned By CRB Listing Champion Struggles To Pay Salaries

The festival has attracted the backing of major corporate sponsors including KCB Group, a long-standing supporter of rallying events in the country.

Thousands of revellers are expected to attend the festival hosted by Capital FM. It is set to take place the Garden on Moi South Lake Road, Naivasha. It will be officially known as the WRC Koroga Festival following the signing of a deal with the organizers of the rally.

“The WRC Koroga Festival will be a four-day food, fashion, and music festival that will bring us the best talent from across the continent to showcase the best we have from here in Kenya and around the region. We will bring together the best Kenyan DJ’s, and the best artists and create an opportunity to enjoy the Safari Rally on a totally different level,” Capital Group Commercial Director Farida Idris announced.

Social media has been awash with Kenyans making plans to paint Naivasha red over the weekend.

Last year, as the Safari Rally made its return to the WRC calendar after a two-year absence, the Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed-led Sports Ministry had projected that it would inject around Ksh6 billion into Kenya’s economy.

Kenya secured rights to host the Safari Rally every year until 2026.

READ>>Record-High Fuel Prices Spell More Pain for Kenyans

Written by
MARTIN SIELE -

Martin K.N Siele is the Content Lead at Business Today. He is also a Quartz contributor and a 2021 Baraza Media Lab-Fringe Graph Data Storytelling Fellow. Passionate about digital media, sports and entertainment, Siele also founded Loud.co.ke

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN POLITICS

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Related Articles
Safari Rally Kenya 2025
BUSINESSNEWS

Cashless Payment Powers WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha

Since the iconic WRC Safari Rally made its remarkable return to Kenya...

Toyota Brands in Kenya
SPORTS

Omanyala Picked to Drive Brand Equity for Toyota

CFAO Motors Kenya has unveiled two-time African Athletics Champion, Ferdinand Omanyala as...

WRC Sarafi Rally
SPORTS

Taking Stock Of The 2023 WRC Safari Rally Success

The WRC Safari Rally catalyzed economic growth by attracting tourists, boosting local...

PS State Department of Sports, Youth and Arts Peter Tum alongside KCB Group CEO Paul Russo flags off KCB sponsored driver Karan Patel and CS Namwamba during the unveiling of 2023 WRC Safari Rally sponsorship in Nairobi earlier today.
SPORTS

KCB Pumps Ksh150M Into 2023 WRC Safari Rally

KCB Bank Kenya will spend Ksh150 million towards supporting the 2023 World...