The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile *FIA) announced that the Kenya Safari Rally will take place on the weekend of June 24 to June 27, 2021. FIA announced the dates during a third meeting of the year of the World Motor Sport Council hosted by FIA President Jean Todt.
News of the event brings relief, following its postponement earlier in the year. Kenya was readmitted into the World Rally Championships (WRC) in 2019, beating Japan and New Zealand who also placed bids to join the WRC. Being the only country in Africa which placed a bid to join the championships, her return was essential to bring out the geographic diversity in the championship series, rejoining WRC after an 18-year fallout.
The country was slated to host the Seventh round of the WRC series on July 16-19 2020. However, FIA postponed the event following the Coronavirus pandemic.
FIA also named Kenya Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage as a new member of the World Motor Sports Council Board. FIA President Jean Todt says her appointment is a step towards advancing gender equality and diversity.
Ambassador Amina Mohammed is also the chairperson of the WRC Safari Rally Project Steering Committee.
In May the WRC Safari Rally Project CEO Phineas Kimathi announced that Kenya had already set the groundwork in preparation for the event, moving forward to complete necessary for the safari rally.
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