PS Kaberia confident of Kenyas WRC return

Kenya’s quest to return to the iconic Safari rally to the World Rally Championship (WRC) event begins Friday at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Sports Principal Secretary AMB. Kirimi Kaberia, who is confident that Kenya will regain its WRC Status after this year’s candidate event has called on Kenyan’s to turn up in large numbers to witness the 2019 Safari rally.

A 4.8km spectator stage is set up at Kasarani starting at 10am, where fans will have a chance to witness the machines rave off for a three day event.

“Let’s all meet at Kasarani and in Naivasha. The rally is a family event so everyone, old or young, should come for the chance to witness the speed; all of us love the cars and speed,” Kaberia told Citizen Digital.

The PS Noted that the country has meet all the motorsports governing body (FIA) Stipulations ahead of the ceremonial flag off on Friday morning that  will be flagged off by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“As a country we are delighted to host this historic event, we have worked round the clock to deliver a successful WRC Candidate event,” the PS said.

The much anticipated candidate event has attracted 51 crews drawn from different countries. The PS, led some drivers in a recce on Wednesday 3 July, at the CS 4.8 KMS Kasarani Super stage.

“I am honored to be driving the zero car, which is the route opener car, we have plans to develop this circuit as a training ground for motorsports drivers in Kenya,” Kaberia said.

 The Principal Secretary will be powering a Mitsubishi Evo 9 navigated by Gareth Dawe while Chief of Staff Office of the President Nzioka Waita will be driving a Mitsubishi Lancer navigated by Laban Cliff.

Meanwhile as drivers continue with recce in routs around Naivashi in Nakuru County, scrutineering enters day two today Thursday 4 July, at Kasarani Stadium which is the last day of checking the vehicles.

Scrutineers from the FIA led by Kenyan Musa Locho spent Wednesday checking where the cars are in a perfect condition as specified by the motorsports governing body.

“We are ensuring the cars a rallying in a save manner and also fair making sure they rally in the class they have entered,” Locho said.

After the spectator stage at Kasarani, day two rally will begin at 6am with three stages which will be repeated at Soysambu, Elementaita and sleeping worries.

The final day of competition will see action move to Kedong where yet again three stages will be tackled at Malewa, Lodia and Kedong.