BY FRANK KAHEESI – NAIVASHA-

Heavy rains and muddy roads on the opening stage of the Safari Rally Kenya handed Toyota Gazoo Racing a commanding 1-2-3-4-5 lead on day one as crews battled treacherous conditions in Naivasha.

Young star Oliver Solberg set the early pace, clocking the fastest time in SS1 to lead a dominant Toyota charge. Solberg beat teammate Elfyn Evans by 30.0 seconds, while eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier trailed by 1 minute 9 seconds. Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta followed in fourth as Toyota firmly stamped its authority on the rally’s opening test.

As had been widely anticipated during reconnaissance, the unpredictable weather quickly turned the stages into a survival test. Torrential rain transformed sections of the 24.3 km Camp Moran stage into deep mud traps, leaving several crews struggling to keep their cars moving.

Uganda’s Duncan Mubiru, popularly known as “Kikankane,” endured a frustrating start to his campaign after getting bogged down in the muddy Camp Moran stage. His car became stuck in the thick mud, forcing him to incur maximum lateness at the next time control. Under the rally’s Super Rally regulations, Mubiru’s only option was to retire for the day and rejoin the competition on Friday.

The difficult conditions also disrupted the schedule for the second stage of the day, the 8.86 km Mzabibu test. The stage start was delayed, a development that particularly affected non-priority crews who were left waiting as the weather deteriorated further.

The situation worsened when the stage was eventually halted after Mubiru’s car, running as car number 44, blocked part of the road, making it impossible for following competitors to pass safely.

Despite the chaos, Ugandan  drivers Yasin Nasser and Oscar Ntambi managed to navigate the slippery conditions and remain in contention, keeping local hopes alive as the legendary African rally began to show its brutal character.

With more rain expected and the rough Kenyan terrain still waiting ahead, crews face an even greater challenge as the rally continues on Friday with longer and more demanding stages around Naivasha.

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