This archive report was first published on 27 June 2021.
On Sunday, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that Kenya will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally every year until 2026, at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The President secured the hosting rights of the elite motorsport event from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the WRC after years of intense lobbying and preparations.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce that we have agreed with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the World Rally Championship (WRC) to continue hosting the Safari Rally in Kenya every year until 2026," the President said.
President Kenyatta also announced immediate government plans to commence preparations for next year's WRC Safari Rally.
"My administration will immediately start preparations for the next Safari Rally event, and I commit the required financial investment towards another successful championship in Kenya," he said.
The 2021 WRC Safari Rally was won by French driver Sebastien Ogier, followed by his Toyota teammate Takamoto Katsuta of Japan in second place, and Hyundai's Ott Tanak of Estonia in third place.
Onkar Rai navigated by Drew Sturrock was the highest-ranked Kenyan driver in seventh place, followed by Karan Patel and Carl 'Flash' Tundo in eighth and ninth positions respectively.
President Kenyatta reminded Kenyans that he had fulfilled his 2013 promise to bring back the WRC Safari Rally after a 19-year absence.
"I am proud to say that after a 19-year-long pause, the Safari Rally is back home! Our efforts have paid off. We have staged a remarkable 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally that has challenged both man and machine, and which will be remembered for many years to come," he said.
