This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
Kenya's bid to return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) has taken a significant step forward, with the 2019 Safari Rally meeting all the necessary criteria, according to Sports Principal Secretary Ambassador Kirimi Kaberia.
Speaking on Monday, July 1, 2019, at a media conference at Kasarani Stadium, Ambassador Kaberia expressed the government's commitment to seeing Kenya return to the WRC.
“The government has worked round the clock to ensure that the Safari Rally returns to the WRC, funding and preparations are done. We have no challenges except for time. It has been long coming, and we hope to deliver a successful event. We are confident that we will bring back the Safari to world status next year,” Ambassador Kaberia said.
The Safari Rally, which will flag off on Friday, July 5, at Kasarani Stadium, will be a test-case for Kenya's compliance with the conditions imposed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) before the WRC status is restored.
Delegates from the FIA, led by legendary Michelle Mouton, are in Kenya to assess the country's capacity to return to the world rally championship status.
According to FIA Liaison Officer Surrinder Thatthi, Mouton will give a comprehensive report to the FIA Safety Commission at the conclusion of the three-day Safari Rally event.
