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President says Kenya to host motorsport annually until 2026

President Uhuru Kenyatta presents the 2021 WRC Safari Rally Kenya winner Sebastien Ogier winners medal. [Kevin Gitimu, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced that the country will continue hosting Safari Rally annually for the next five years.

Uhuru said the the government has agreed with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and World Rally Championship (WRC) to hold the event until 2026.

The president was speaking yesterday when he officially closed the WRC Safari Rally Kenya in Naivasha. “It gives me great pleasure, therefore, to announce that we have agreed with the International Automobile Federation and the World Rally Championship to continue hosting the Safari Rally in Kenya every year until 2026,” he said.

Consequently, the Head of State said the government will embark on preparations for next year’s event.

“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,” he said.

Sebastien Ogier – Toyota’s world championship leader – won the competition after overtaking overnight leader Thierry Neuville, who suffered a setback after hitting a rock.

The president described Safari Rally – that has been on a pause for 19 years – as an iconic event tied with the history of sports in Kenya and East Africa.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, flanked by Sports CS Amb. Amina Mohammed, cheers on Kenyan star Onkar Rai. [Courtesy]

He said the event has proved that motorsport in Kenya was “alive and well” after a “weekend of mere taste of the bright and awesome future.”

The sporting activity that was traditionally held around Easter holidays was regarded as one of the most popular African rallies before it was excluded from the WRC calendar in 2003 due to financial constraints.

Its planned return in 2020 was disrupted by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing the organisers to put it on a hold for a year.

“This weekend, the world has once again witnessed the unique grandeur of motorsport in Kenya, the unparalleled fan enthusiasm of our nation, and the sporting excellence of the various teams through this great Safari Rally,” said Uhuru.

He said the return of the competition was driven by the hunger of Kenyans for the return of top tier motorsport to Kenya.

“In 2013 I promised our nation that we would end the 11 years of relegation from the International Automobile Federation circuit. I am proud to say that after a 19-year-long pause, the Safari Rally is back home,” said the president.

He added, “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.”

President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulates Kenyan rally star Onkar Rai. [Courtesy]. 

The Head of State said despite the prevailing Covid-19 challenges that have been felt by every country, the world has witnessed Kenya’s preparedness to stage and host world-class events.

He commended the commitment by participants to maintain the country’s position as one of the world’s top sporting destinations.

“Let me now take this opportunity to congratulate all the teams that participated in the 2021 Safari Rally. To the winners, your hard work and perseverance are affirmations of innumerable capacities as human beings,” said Uhuru.

The president also encouraged rally drivers who did not perform well that they will have opportunity to do better in the next events. He described all participants in the race as winners for inspiring girls and boys across the world to dream of making such achievements.

“The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams. We dreamed and we delivered.” 

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