This archive report was first published on 22 June 2021.
Kenyan telecommunications company Safaricom has announced a partnership with Carl 'Flash' Tundo, a multiple Safari Rally champion, ahead of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally. The partnership, valued at KES 3.5 million, will see Tundo mentor three young Kenyan drivers selected for the FIA Rally Star programme.
As part of the partnership, Tundo will be driving a Minti Motorsports VW Polo R5, the same car that saw him clinch the 2021 ARC Equator Rally. The car is owned by Joey Ghose, Minti Motorsports director and owner, who expressed his excitement about the partnership and his company's long-term goal of having a World Champion from Kenya.
Tundo, a five-time winner of the Safari Rally and 2009 IRC champion, is one of the few Kenyan drivers who took part in the last WRC Safari Rally. Safaricom's CEO, Peter Ndegwa, praised Tundo's experience and consistency, saying the company is proud to be sponsoring one of Kenya's best rally drivers.
With this partnership, Safaricom's investment in the WRC Safari Rally now stands at KES 21 million. The company had earlier announced a KES 17.5 million sponsorship for the rally, which includes KES 15 million to support three young Kenyan drivers selected for the FIA Rally Star programme.
The three Kenyan drivers selected for the FIA Rally Star programme are Jeremy Wahome, Hamza Anwar, and McRae Mutwiri Kimathi. The programme is a global initiative aimed at identifying, training, and developing talented young drivers between 17-26 years.
