Kenyans have been urged to uphold COVID-19 protocols during the safari rally that will be held in the country.
The Safari rally that begins today will run-up to Sunday.
The event will mark the first time since 2002 that the World Rally Championship is returning to Africa.
According to Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Kenyans are to remain cautious in observing the existing regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The CS has maintained that the Ministry of Health guidelines concerning COVID-19 spread prevention is still operational.
Only 20 onlookers will be permitted to gather at one point and are expected to maintain social distance.
The individuals are also expected to abide by the curfew guidelines.
“Space has been designated for the spectators to go and watch the rally. I will expect groups of up to 20, no more than 20 and the members of these groups should keep a social distance so that people aren’t too close to each other. The ministry of health has not suspended its protocols, they are still in place. Whether it’s the protocols that relate to wearing of masks, social distancing or protocols that relate to curfew, nothing has been suspended and I don’t expect multitudes of people struggling to get spaces in Naivasha at night.” Said Amina.
Principal Administrative Secretary Moffat Kangi who had accompanied CS Amina also emphasized that the COVID-19 measures must be strictly observed.
He also guaranteed everyone participating in the rally that there will security during the rally remarking that the inspector general of police had positioned police in various stages of the rally.
“The Inspector general of police has put in place measures to ensure there is security and safety of everyone along the entire route from Nairobi, via Kiambu to Nakuru counties. Police have been stationed and deployed all over to make sure there is security will be provided to all along the entire route. We also don’t expect that people will be moving in big numbers all over and therefore rallying will not be an excuse for breaking the COVID-19 protocols.”
Kangi further advised motorists and commercial vehicles to abide by the gazette notice issued yesterday barring movement of all vehicles during the event.
“It’s important for Kenyans to know that we issued a gazette notice yesterday to describe the route that will be followed by the rally vehicles. During those moments when the vehicles will be passing in those areas, we expect that the commercial vehicles during the daytime will be off the road so that we can give free movement of the rallying vehicles.” Kangi added.
Motorists in Nairobi are to avoid Thika Road and Uhuru Highway from 8 am to 12 noon today to pave way for the Safari Rally flag off at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
According to Nairobi Area Traffic Commander Joshua Omukata, the ceremonial flag off will start at KICC at 12.45 pm.
The vehicles will then pass through Parliament Road, Haile Selassie Avenue, Uhuru Highway, Wangari Mathai Road and then head to Kasarani via Thika Road.
Later, the Safari Rally vehicles will head back to Thika Road and pass through Muthaiga as they head to Naivasha.
By Everlyne Bosibori
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