This archive report was first published on 24 June 2021.
On June 24, 2021, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta officially flagged off the World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, marking a 19-year wait for the event's return.
The rally, which will feature 58 crews, is expected to attract over 825 million viewers and inject Ksh6 billion (approximately $60 million) in foreign currency into the economy.
President Kenyatta, who is also the patron of the Safari Rally, was joined by FIA president Jean Todt, Kenya's Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, and WRC Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi for the ceremonial flag off.
The first rally drivers to take part in the event were Kabras Sugar Racing's Onkar Rai, navigated by Drew Sturrock, and Equator African Rally Championship winner Carl Tundo, who was navigated by Tim Jessop.
