President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the government is committed to supporting the rallying talent in Kenya. Speaking at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani during this year’s Safari Rally Edition, President Kenyatta said he is confident that not only will the Safari Rally be a full series event but that at some stage the Kenyan flag will also feature on a winning podium. He urged sponsors to chip in with their support, “I call on corporate sponsors and all private sector stakeholders to join hands with the government in supporting the emergence and growth of this rallying talent that we have,” he said.
The Safari Rally is seeking to be included in the World Rally Championships, and officials from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) are present to look at the whole process before reporting back the findings. President Kenyatta acknowledged the presence of the FIA team led by Michele Mouton, noting that the logistical support they’ve received from FIA has made the event possible and deepened Kenya’s capacity to deliver world-class rallying experiences.
“We are committed to meeting all International Automobile Federation regulations, standards, requirements so that Kenya may once again feature at the apex of global rallying,” he said. A cheque of Kshs 449,686,200 from the government was presented to the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Project, with the CEO Phineas Kimathi present to receive.