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Kenya’s Safari Rally return to the 2020 World Rally Championship (WRC) will wait a little longer after it’s postponed until next year.
Initially scheduled to be held between July 16 and 19 will now take place at a later date to be announced in 2021 the Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed announced on Friday.
Mohamed said the decision was reached due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic as a result, the Government of Kenya, WRC Promoter, and the International Motorsport Association (FIA).
“We are grateful to the Patron, His Excellence President Uhuru Kenyatta for his unwavering support and counsel as we deliberated on the next step,” the CS said in a statement.
“We also owe exceptional gratitude to the President of the FIA, Mr Jean Totd, and the WRXC Promoter led by Oliver Ciesla for their unyielding support since we commenced engagements to return the Safari Rally to the WRC circuit.”
The Safari Rally was scheduled to be the eighth round of the 13-event WRC series.
This year, only three events, Monte Carlo, Sweden, and Mexico have been held.
Safari Rally’s Chief Executive Officer Phineas Kimathi said the organisational work for the rally, which will be held in Nairobi and Nakuru counties, will continue.
“We will continue working as if the Safari will be held in July. The route is complete and sealed,” said Kimathi.
The Safari Rally was first held in Kenya in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It featured on the World Championship circuit between 1973 and 2002. However, the 14-leg WRC was dropped in 2002.
