Chaos marred the first day of the World Rally Championship Safari Rally on Thursday hours after it was launched at KICC by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Videos posted on social media show tens of Kenyans obstructing rally vehicles on city roads.
The rally schedule featured a Super Special Stage at Kasarani grounds which was the first stage after the rally launch at KICC.
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A rally vehicle at KICC/ State House Twitter
The President, a rally enthusiast, made his way to the grounds immediately after flagging off the first few vehicles off the ramp.
Instead of congregating at Kasarani, tens of Kenyans waited for the vehicles at the sides of Thika road in clear contravention of the race safety rules.
Reports indicate that rowdy crowds harassed several drivers on the highway which had been deliberately blocked for a larger part of the day clearing it for the rally vehicles.
Videos shared on social media show more daring individuals blocking rally vehicles while taking selfies endangering themselves and the rally participants.
This led to some divers not completing the Super Spectator Stage.
Kenyan security officials will hold a crisis meeting with the WRC to chart a way forward for the remaining stages of the competition.
The WRC Safari rally has only just returned after 19 years and such safety violations could see Kenya dropped out of the WRC Rally schedule.
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