Behind the thrilling action and dramatic moments of the WRC Safari Rally, a quiet technological operation was at work, helping ensure safety through rapid incident response.
Organisers leveraged the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor and respond to emergencies in real time during the 2026 edition of the rally.
Safaricom Business, in partnership with RBI Sport Ltd, deployed an IoT-enabled telematics solution across the rally’s safety caravan fleet. This included ambulances and rapid response units tasked with handling emergencies along the rally routes.
The system used smart vehicle monitoring technology to transmit real-time data, trigger automated alerts, and send instant incident notifications to command centres overseeing the event.
According to Michael Wangwe, an IoT Engineer at Safaricom, the technology played a critical role in improving response times.
“Telematics gives real-time location of the fleet and instant alerts in case of incidents. This allows teams to respond quickly and get to where rescue is needed without delays,” he explained.
The deployment ensured that emergency teams could track vehicles, identify incidents immediately, and coordinate swift interventions in potentially life-threatening situations.
Beyond the rally, Safaricom Business says IoT is becoming a key growth area, with increasing adoption across industries. The company currently supports approximately 1.5 million customers using IoT connectivity and devices.
The Safari Rally deployment highlights how technology is increasingly shaping not just performance in motorsport, but also safety, offering a glimpse into how connected systems can transform emergency response in high-risk environments.
Watch the video below to learn how the IoT worked at the WRC Safari Rally:
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