GoK cuts down WRC Safari Rally budget massively

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba says the government will spend about Ksh 900million on sponsorship for this year’s World Rally Championships (WRC Safari Rally.

This is less than half the Ksh 2.6billion that the government spent last year on the event.

Speaking while he unveiled the WRC project committees in his office, Namwamba said the government is keen on having a frugal event that gives value for money.

“We have drawn budget guidelines for this committees and have asked them to sit down and come up with a final figure. What was spent last year is way too much and we believe that with less than half that amount we should have a great event,” he revealed.

Ababu also revealed that the government will spend another Ksh 6million for the Equator Rally which is a precussor to the WRC Safari Rally that will be celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

“Initially we were told that the Equator Rally needs Ksh 200 million but we have asked them to scale down." He said.

Namwamba urged the committee to cut out on any unnecessary expenditures and ensure that the rally touches the lives of the ordinary people.

“I watched the Monte Carlo rally in a much bigger economy and saw frugal and prudent use of resources. We expect no less from this committee.”

He revealed that the government is committed to having a rally that would exceed all expectations with an eye on empowering the common man.

“I want to announce that we have a new administration with a fresh way of thinking. Our new policy of bottom up approach must be felt in this event. The committee needs to deliberate on how they ensure that the common man is able to do business and benefit from Kenya hosting the rally.”

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The newly reconstituted steering committee has Phineas Kimathi the chairman of the Kenya Motorsports Foundation (KMSF), Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and the Arts Ismail Maalim Madey, KMSF director Surinder Thatthi and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo.

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage and the Council of Governors will also have members in the Steering Committee.

Rally driver Carl “Flash” Tundo chairs the Organizing Committee and will be deputised by Brian Mutembei. Other members are Sports Fund Arts and Social Development Fund CEO, Hellen Shiri Jagjett, Youth Representative Hudson Ojiambo, Antony Wanjohi Kanyi, Kiki Christopher, Robert Onyonka, Nyatichi Nyasani, Muema Muindi, Gurdeep Singh Panesar and Dennis Mondet.