The wait is over after President Uhuru Kenyatta officially flagged off the World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally at The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Thursday afternoon.
The WRC event returns in the country for the first time since 2002 and the colorful ceremony exhibited what Kenyans have been missing for 19 years.
A total of 58 crews will battle out for top honours in this years event that takes place between three counties(Nairobi, Kiambu and Nakuru).
President Kenyatta who also acts as the Safari Rally patron was joined by Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt, Sports CS Amina Mohamed and the WRC CEO Phineas Kimathi for the flag off.
Off the ramps first was Kabras Sugar Racing's Onkar Rai, navigated by Drew Sturrock, followed by Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo who is navigated by Tim Jessop. Others flagged off included Sebastien Ogier and Ott Nanak.
Meanwhile, 13 Kenyan rally drivers failed to pass the Cut to qualify during the first day of scrutineering of the WRC Safari Rally held in Naivasha.
In the official second amended WRC Safari Rally list released on Wednesday, Andreas Mikelsen, Marco Bulacia and Teemu Suninen were amongst some of the drivers who bowed out of the rally.
Issa Amwari navigated by Job Njiru opted out of the rally as they had the fuel required by the FIA, but did not have a cover that is put to ensure that there is no damage to the tank while rallying.
“As entry no 41 of Issa Amwari and Job Njiru, we do formally withdraw from the event and with deep regret due to certain extraneous factors. At the end of the scrutineering today, the Chief scrutineer noted that our newly fitted FIA tank does not have a cover for the coupling area. Seeing as the tank was delivered late by the airline, which had logistical issues, and this issue was pointed to us at the 11th hour at Scrutineering, it has become impossible to procure it and fulfil the technical obligation,” Njiru said in a statement.
Safari Rally stages from Thursday June 24 to Sunday June 27.
June 24
Presidential and VIP Speeches at KICC
Super Special Stage SSS 1 at Kasarani (Section 1)
June 25
SECTIONS 1&2 /2&3 (Chui Lodge 1&2, Kedong 1&2, Oserian 1&2)
Opening of media centre Service Park Naivasha
Publication of start list for Section 4
June 26
SECTIONS 4&5 -Service Park Naivasha (Elementaita 1&2, Soysambu 1&2 and Sleeping Warrior 1&2)
Publication of start list for Section 6
June 27
SECTION 6-Loldia 1 & Hell's Gate 1
SECTION 7-Malewa, Loldia 2
SECTION 8- Hell's Gate 2 (Wolf Power Stage)
Finish Podium Ceremony
-Final Scrutineering