This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On Friday, the 66th edition of the Safari Rally kicked off at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, with President Uhuru Kenyatta in attendance. The event is a crucial step towards Kenya's re-entry into the prestigious World Rally Championships (WRC) next year.
With 49 elite drivers from across Africa participating, the rally will cover over 796 kilometres in three days. The drivers will face a challenging course, and the competition is expected to be fierce.
President Kenyatta expressed his pride in hosting the candidate event, saying it marked a significant milestone in Kenya's journey to rejoin the WRC series. He attributed the progress to the efforts of the Jubilee Administration, which began working towards this goal in 2013.
“Today, the journey we began in 2013 to return the most iconic of motoring events, the Safari Rally, to the International Automobile Federation-World Rally Championship Series, has scaled to greater heights as we proudly host this World Rally Championship Candidate Event,” the President said.
He assured motorsport stakeholders and enthusiasts that the government is fully committed to supporting the rally and expressed optimism that the Safari Rally project in Kenya will become a full series event.
President Kenyatta also acknowledged the support from FIA through its President Jean Todt in the ongoing efforts to ensure Kenya returns to the WRC. He thanked the International Automobile Federation for the logistical and technical support that has made the event possible.
As part of the government's commitment to supporting the rally, President Kenyatta handed over a government sponsorship cheque of Shs 449 million to the Kenya Motorsports Federation for use in the development of motorsport activities in the country.
The money was drawn from the National Sports Fund, which has been supporting national teams representing the country in international sporting activities, including Harambee Stars during their recent AFCON football competitions in Cairo.
