Kenya’s government has announced plans to alter the way in which the country’s flagship Safari Rally is managed.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Sports announced through a release by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya that it has entered into a new partnership with the private sector, with the Ministry of Sports handing over some of the responsibilities to the private sector, which is expected to reduce government expenditure on the event.
This comes in the wake of Kenya’s preparations to host the World Rally Championship Safari Rally in the coming year from March 12 to 15. According to Mvurya, the government has already settled the promoter’s fee in readiness to host the event smoothly and has announced to fans that preparations are in full swing and the country is ready to host the global event.
“This partnership marks a new chapter for motorsport in Kenya and will also help lower the government’s financial burden.”
As part of the transition, the staff from the Safari Rally Project Secretariat, including the CEO, will be reassigned to the Ministry of Sports but will continue providing support until the event is over.
This new setup also aims to strengthen the commercialization of sports in the country and increase investment in the sector in line with President William Ruto’s economic plans.
Kenya rejoined the World Rally Championship in 2021 after almost two decades away from the international motorsport stage. Since then, the government has been instrumental in the organization of the Safari Rally, including planning, security, upgrading of facilities, and the payment of the promoter’s fee to the global rights holder.
This responsibility will soon be handed over to private entities. Traditionally, sponsors only concentrated on branding and logistics.
The Safari Rally will also pass through Naivasha town, which has come to be synonymous with the Safari Rally in recent times due to the large terrain and challenging routes of the course.
Over the years, the Safari Rally has come to be an important part of Kenya’s tourism portfolio, attracting thousands of visitors from Kenya and beyond. The locals also benefit from the increase in activity during the period the rally period.
With the new framework in place, the government hopes the event will continue to grow while costing taxpayers less money.
