The government through the ministry of Sports has vowed to support Safari Rally in Kenya following the hosting of last weekend’s World Safari Rally (WRC) in Naivasha.
Kenya is now expressing interest to revamp the dwindling fortunes of competitors; and indeed the KNRC which has been in existence since the 1960s.
The move, according to Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba, will enable local drivers to gain the much-needed seat time in the run-up to the WRC Safari Rally gravel event— hitherto the World Rally Championship’s toughest fixture.
Speaking during a drivers’ dinner to acknowledge and honour the performance of the 16 crews who took part in the 2023 Safari, the CS remarked: “We can’t continue running an ineffective Kenya National Rally Championship.”
“Our drivers want to be competitive throughout the year. And by being competitive, they’ll be better prepared for the WRC series. The best way to do it is to have a well-organised, well-structured, competitive national series and Government will support it.”
The CS also noted that the corporate world will also support an organised series, hence the need to reorganise the motorsports space.
“I want to see a serious KNRC back and a better-structured Kenya Motor Sport Federation. I am asking you as your Cabinet Secretary to organise that space,” CS Ababu added.
The function also feted drivers who retired during Safari including Jeremiah Wahome, Hamza Anwar, Evans Kavisi, Jennifer Ayietsa and Karan Patel.
Carl Tundo was leading Kenya and a podium finisher of WRC2. Current KNRC leader Jasmeet Chana was the second-placed Kenyan driver on Safari. McRae Kimathi also took a WRC3 podium in an M-Sport Poland-prepared Ford Fiesta Rally3.