This archive report was first published on 24 June 2021.
The 2021 WRC Safari Rally, which was flagged off by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the KICC, marks a comeback after a 19-year hiatus. The event has attracted 58 entrants from across the globe.
State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita will be racing in car number 39, alongside seasoned navigator Tuta Mionki. Waita expressed his excitement, stating, 'My name is Nzioka Waita, I’m a participant in this year’s World Rally Championship Safari Rally and it’s been a life-long aspiration to get to this event, my navigator is a seasoned experienced Tuta Mionki. She will be the one taking charge of our pace notes and making sure we get to the end. We are participating in a…and I think we are ready for the event.'
On the other hand, Laban Cliff, a former Business News Anchor at NTV, will be a co-driver to Rio Smith and together they will be in car number 67. Cliff shared the good news, stating that being part of this year’s Safari Rally is a dream come true for him. He tweeted, 'A Dream Come true! Proud Co Driver to Rio Smith in a Ford Fiesta Car No. 67 in the #WRCSafariRally2021 Enjoy the Rally, Be Safe! #KenyaMbele #SafoIsBack #GoKDelivers.'
Waita has participated in the World Rally Championship before, in 2019, where he finished 24th out of 48 drivers. He was then a co-driver to Laban-Cliff Onserio in car No. 60, a Mitsubishi Evolution 9.
The 2021 WRC Safari Rally is scheduled to run from the 24th to the 27th of June. Thousands of Kenyans have already begun gathering in Naivasha for the highly anticipated event.
Best locations to view Safari Rally action this weekend include Kasarani Stadium, where the cars will head to for a side-by-side race on a purpose-built spectator grandstand from 2 pm. The opening leg of the Safari Rally covers routes along the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, Chui Lodge and Oserien.
