Eight-time world champion Ogier started the day 0.1s behind overnight leader Tanak but headed to midday service with a 2.5s lead over Toyota team-mate Kalle Rovanpera.
Elfyn Evans completed the loop in third, 19.5s adrift, but ahead of Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who endured an eventful morning to reach service 21.5s back.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta sat in fifth (+29.1s) in front of Esapekka Lappi (+41.1s), Dani Sordo (+45.9s), Pierre Louis Loubet (+1m17.3s), Tanak (+2m26.4s) and WRC2 runner Oliver Solberg (+2m49.6s).
Overcast conditions punctuated with some light rain created damp roads for the drivers to navigate.
The dampness was the least of the driver’s concerns as Kenya’s unique wildlife became a more important variable as stage two (Loldia, 19.17km) began.
Hyundai’s Neuville was distracted by a bee that had entered the cockpit of his car, which caused the Belgian to lose his concentration momentarily.
“It's very shaky in there and we got kicked off the line and we had a big bee in the car," said Neuville, who clocked the third fastest time.
“Basically I lost my concentration in the beginning and there was a lot of cleaning in the last section.”
Overnight leader Tanak started the stage strongly, but lost his lead when he came across a pig and a group of zebras that resulted in the Estonian crossing the finish line 15.2s adrift.
Source: Autosport