Kenya to host WRC rally for 5 consecutive years

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Sunday that his country had secured hosting rights for the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally until 2026.

Kenyatta presided over the presentation of prizes to winners of the 2021 WRC Safari Rally while speaking at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) in Naivasha in Nakuru County.

"It gives me great pleasure…to announce that we have agreed with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the World Rally Championship to continue hosting the Safari Rally in Kenya every year until 2026," he said.

"In this regard, 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.”

The grueling three-day event, which saw international drivers rally on roads they had never driven on before, was won by French driver Sebastien Ogier followed by his Toyota teammate Takamoto Katsuta of Japan. Hyundai's Ott Tanak of Estonia finished third.

The head of state congratulated the 2021 Safari Rally participants and encouraged those that did not succeed to press on for better results at future events. He wished a quick recovery to those who were injured during the three-day showpiece and invited them to participate in next year's event.

In 2002, Kenya’s Safari Rally was dropped from the WRC and downgraded to the Africa Rally Championship. The Safari Rally was notorious for being the toughest route in the series and was renowned for its almost impassable, hard to traverse, soft, bumpy, rocky and gravel roads.

The return of the World Rally Championship to Kenya and Africa comes 19 years after being removed from the calendar due to a lack of finances. The iconic rally was first held in Kenya in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.