• The President expressed gratitude on Sunday afternoon when he was awarding winners of this year’s Safari Rally in Naivasha.
• Uhuru urged the citizens to continue supporting the event as sporting activity as well as an economy boost.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has lauded the World Rally Championship (WRC) 2022, terming it a great motor sporting event that has positively impacted the country’s economy.
Uhuru said since the return of the rally last year, the international motor sporting event has played a major role in the country's profile by attracting renowned motor sports giants.
The President expressed gratitude on Sunday, when he was awarding winners of this year’s Safari Rally in Naivasha.
“Thank you very much for your partnership and your cooperation, and to the people of Kenya you will see this is an event that is in our blood. Let me also remind you that it is not only an event that is in our blood because of our history but it is also an event that impacts us economically and positions us globally,” Uhuru said.
The head of state urged citizens to continue supporting the event as a sporting activity as well as an economy boost.
“An event like this is also about every single person who is a participant from the hotels, the waiters who serve them, the traffic officers and spectators, as well as those who are vendors for various items," Uhuru said.
He also thanked all stakeholders who helped in bringing back the WRC to Kenya and congratulated the winners for demonstrating the true spirit of sportsmanship.
“I want to extend my gratitude to the FIA team and the World Rally Championship team for the manner in which we have collaborated. Bringing back the Safari Rally required keen working together and a willingness to partner together,” he said.
“Mine is to congratulate every single participant and the prize is not in winning, the prize is in how you win. acknowledging competition is not enmity and that is why we are here to celebrate not just the winners but every single entrant."
The First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, was also in attendance.
Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohammed, Vice President for the Federation International de I’Automobile Rodrigo Rocha and the Kenya Motor Sports Federation Chairman Phineas Kimathi were present.
The champions of 2022 WRC were Kalle Rovanpera in first position followed by Elfyn Evans who took the second position while Takamoto Katsuta took the third position.