Excitement as Uhuru Officially Flags Off World Rally Championships at KICC

• The 19-year wait for the WRC return to the country came to an end on Thursday, June 24
• Uhuru officially flagged off the World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi
• Organisers say at least 10,000 people from all over the world are expected to attend
• Drivers are expected to take different courses between Satuday and Sunday

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It was all systems go on Thursday, June 24, as President Uhuru Kenyatta officially flagged off the World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.

The officially flagging off marked the end of a 19-year wait to have the championships back in the country.

Uhuru, who is also acting as the patron of the championships, was joined by president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile Jean Todt, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, and the WRC Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi for the ceremony.

Onkar Rai, from Kabras sugar racing, was the first driver off the ramp and was met with excitement by those witnessing the flagging off.

Equator African Rally Championship winner Carl Tundo was second to go and he was accompanied by his navigator Tim Jessop.

A total of 58 crews were flagged off including Sebastien Ogier and Ott Nanak, two parties considered heavy favourites in the championship.

Nanak, who hails from Estonia, won the 2019 world championship.

Business is booming in Naivasha

Ahead of the rally championships, several sectors in Naivasha are set to enjoy booming business over the next three days.

According to Business Daily, over 10,000 foreigners are expected to be in Naivasha for the championships, which is a clear indication of the impact the event has after a 19-year absence from the country.

The Ministry of Sports estimates that the three-day event is set to pump at least KSh 6 billion in foreign money into the economy, although a breakdown was not issued.

Sports CS Amina Mohammed also got into rally mood on Wednesday as she got the rare honour of riding in a Safari Rally car

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