In Kenya, he also officially opened the WRC Safari Rally Project’s new headquarters where a steering committee, led by Kenya Motorsport Federation President Phineas Kimathi, will continue working actively to realise the dream of returning the legendary Safari Rally to the FIA World Rally Championship calendar.

When the WRC was founded in 1973, the East African Safari was a natural fit and it remained on the calendar until 2002. Since then, no world championship rally has been staged on African soil.

“The modern World Rally Championship needs to extend its horizons and become more global and I would like to see us return to Kenya for a tough and demanding event. As the world’s second largest continent, Africa is very important to the FIA and the Safari Rally represents everything that is in the DNA of our sport.” said Jean Todt

Jean Todt considered that, with intense work and determination, it is possible for Kenya to run to the standards required for a World Championship rally, in particular the organization on closed roads. What was possible back when events ran on open roads is not possible these days with the growing human population.

“In the respect of the standards, I am expecting the Kenyan Safari Rally to be the pioneer and the leading example of road safety in the continent. We must stop this carnage and fatality on the road, where Africa is the leader,” he conclued