President William Ruto wants the world motorsport governing body, FIA, to reconsider a longer and more adventurous World Rally Championship Safari Rally that will rekindle memories of its old-type flavour.
This year’s Safari Rally went down in history as the longest since the return of the FIA global status in 2021 with a competitive mileage of 367.76kms, a liaison distance of 1021.13km and a total distance of 1389.69km.
The Safari Rally was first held in 1953, as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1960, it was renamed the East African Safari Rally and kept that name until 1974, when it became the Kenya Safari Rally.
Safari has upheld its long-standing global reputation as the toughest round of the WRC and adopted a special stage format in 1996. From then until 2002, it featured over 1000km of timed tests.
Speaking during the ceremonial start at The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the President remarked: “The Safari Rally runs for four days but we would like to revert to the old tradition when it featured longer distances. I direct our Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to start engaging the FIA and the Promoter on possibilities of a much longer version of this fabled event,” President Ruto said.
The iconic Safari reverted to its traditional Easter weekend date after a request from the government last year. The heavy Easter rains are expected to bring an additional challenge to this year’s rally.
“I implore Kenyans to come out in large numbers this weekend and celebrate this Easter weekend in style. Let’s all come together in welcoming all our visitors to the Magical Kenya, a beautiful country of humanity,” added President Ruto.
FIA representative Federico Lodi said: “Safari is a special event in the WRC calendar and it’s an honour to have the President flag off the cars.
“The combination of the sporting concept, wonderful people, wonderful nation and variety of wildlife; you can’t get enough of it. It’s so good to work together with all the wonderful people, as well as the strong involvement of the government.”
Sports CS Ababu Namwamba said: “It’s a great honour for Kenya to be a part of the 13 legs of the iconic WRC and indeed the only one in the African continent.”
He said: “We want to assure our partners— FIA and WRC—that we cherish this partnership and we are delighted to have the Safari revert to its traditional Easter timing.
"The Safari management has also undergone transition and we hope to keep improving the event by making it more vibrant and attractive to fans and visitors alike.
"The opening of the motorsport academy is a major milestone in the country’s history that will churn out race stars of international repute.”