SPORTS NEWS-VROOM-off we go as President Ruto flags off the WRC safari rally in Nairobi, Kenya;

-President says the prestigious event comes as a ‘truly special Easter’ holiday gift for millions of families to bond over a thrilling spectacle;
– KCB racing team drivers Karan Patel and Nikhil Sachania among the drivers flagged off by the President in the much-anticipated four-day event that will see top guns clash at the grueling terrain in Naivasha, Nakuru County;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLNEWSLINKS;
Kenya President William Ruto officially flagged off this year’s edition of the WRC safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi City as the global event returns to the Easter period timelines.
This much-anticipated moment has finally arrived as the engines roar to life, marking the official start of the WRC Safari Rally 2024.
President Ruto said the prestigious motor racing event comes as a ‘truly special Easter’ holiday gift to millions of families to bond over a thrilling spectacle.
“You really can’t find a rally as tough, compelling, beautiful and rewarding as the one in Kenya,” said Ruto.
He further assured that Kenya has made world-class preparations to provide top-notch racing grounds and fun activities during the shakedown starting Friday March 28 to Sunday, March 31.

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba called on Kenyans to turn out in large numbers for the rally, saying, “We encourage fans to come out and support their favorite drivers. Your enthusiasm and energy play a crucial role in making this event a success, and we look forward to seeing you all along the rally route.”
WRC Safari Rally CEO Charles Gacheru said, “We are thrilled to witness the start of the Safari Rally 2024. Months of meticulous planning and preparation have culminated in this moment, and we are excited to showcase the beauty and excitement of rallying to the world. We are hopeful of a wonderful weekend.”
The Safari Rally, a cornerstone of the FIA World Rally Championship calendar, promises a weekend of exhilarating action and fierce competition against the backdrop of Kenya’s stunning landscapes.
As the cars rev off from KICC, they head towards the first competitive action at the Kasarani Super Special Stage.
This stage is sure to set the tone for the rest of the rally, with drivers pushing their limits to secure an early advantage.
But the excitement doesn’t end there and over the next few days, spectators can look forward to witnessing top drivers and teams battle it out across various stages, including the challenging Soysambu, Elmenteita, Sleeping Warrior, Malewa, and Hell’s Gate routes.
Each stage presents its own unique set of obstacles, testing the skill and endurance of both drivers and machines.
With the Safari Rally officially underway, the stage is set for a weekend of thrilling action courtesy of top rally local and international drivers.
Among them stands the formidable five-time Safari Rally champion, Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, whose mastery of the course has become the stuff of motorsport legend.
Joining Tundo are the ARC African Continent race champions Karani Patel, Hamza Anwar, Aakif Virani, and Sommah Vohra, each ready to showcase their prowess against their foreign counterparts in a special showdown in the Kasarani area before embarking on the main event in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
Friday’s action will see drivers navigating the challenging terrains of Loldia, Geothermal, and Kedong for two rounds of thrilling racing action.
Saturday promises even more excitement as racing fans are treated to heart-stopping action in the Soysambu area, followed by thrilling runs through Elementaita and Sleeping Warrior, each stage tackled twice to test the drivers’ skill and endurance.
Sunday’s showdown promises to be the ultimate test of grit as drivers take on a grueling 36-kilometer terrain stretching from Malewa to Oserengoni before culminating in a triumphant finish at Hell’s Gate, with two laps to crown the victor.
As one of the toughest events in the World Rally Championship’s history, the Safari Rally Kenya is renowned for its challenging terrain and demanding conditions.
MEANWHILE, ADDS BRIAN JAYSINS-OXYGENE PR, the 2024 WRC Safari Rally is off to a flying start for the much-anticipated four-day event that will see top guns clash at the grueling terrain in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

KCB racing team drivers Karan Patel and Nikhil Sachania were among the drivers flagged off by Kenya President William Ruto earlier on Thursday at Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC).
As the official financial partner for the global spectacle, KCB Bank Kenya injected KShs. 195 million into the event which is returning to its traditional Easter weekend for the first time in 27 years.
President Ruto said, “We welcome top WRC drivers to Magical Kenya. We are honored to host the world’s toughest motorsports event, a captivating showpiece where human ingenuity and endurance, breathtaking terrain, and the epitome of automotive engineering excellence are stretched to the limits.”

KCB has channeled over KShs. 1.7 billion towards motorsports to support the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC), WRC Safari Rally, autocross, and other local circuits, enabling competitors to represent Kenya in local, regional, and international events.
The action kicked off on Thursday afternoon, with the Kasarani super special stage, pitting drivers against each other across the jumps and bumps of this epic opening test just outside Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi.
KCB Group Chairman, Dr. Joseph Kinyua said, “We are at the forefront of this transformational journey that shines a light on Kenya’s motorsports prowess on a global stage. This year’s WRC Safari Rally gives us an opportunity to strategically contribute towards the long-term goal of making Kenya a favorite sporting destination while at same time creating awareness on the need to make environmental conservation a key focus area for stakeholders.”
The Bank has also reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by allocating KShs. 1 million towards waste management and reforestation initiatives during the iconic event in a bid to minimize environmental impact and ensure the responsible disposal and recycling of waste generated throughout the event.
Additionally, during the rally period, the Bank has planted 2,000 trees to bolster the sustainability efforts.
On Friday crews will tackle the rough roads around Lake Naivasha and the morning loop consists of three stages Loldia, Geothermal, and Kedong totaling 40 miles (64 km), repeated in the afternoon following a lunchtime service.
Saturday is the rally’s longest day, featuring six stages including Soysambu 1 and the mammoth 22-mile (36 km) Sleeping Warrior test.
After 100 miles (161 km) of grueling Saturday action, the first points of the weekend will be provisionally awarded.
Super Sunday will consist of 46 miles (74 km) of heart-stopping action around Lake Elmenteita, where cars will navigate through Malewa, Oserengeroni, and Hell’s Gaten which serves as the power stage.
KCB Bank footprint in sports support in the country is expansive and cuts across various sports disciplines.
The Bank has its sports brand assets that include the KCB Women Volleyball Club, KCB Football Club and KCB Rugby Club besides other sports including Chess, athletics, and golf.
The long-standing tradition of sponsoring major sporting events in the country has seen the Bank pump millions of shillings in sponsorships over the years.
ENDS;
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