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Entries for the 9-leg Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) have not been impressive over the past few years.

The trend was occasioned by the economic downturn and adverse effects of Covid-19, which compelled drivers to pack their rally machines in their backyards.

However, following the hosting of three successful WRC Safaris in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Kenyans expressed a desire to revamp the dwindling fortunes of competition — the national series (KNRC) which has been in existence since the 1960s.

The move, says Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, will enable local drivers to gain the much-needed seat time in the run-up to the fabled WRC Safari Rally Kenya gravel event- hitherto the World Rally Championship’s toughest fixture.

Speaking during a drivers’ dinner to honour the performance of the 16 crews who took part in the 2023 Safari, Namwamba stated: “We cannot continue running an ineffective Kenya National Rally Championship. Our drivers want to be competitive throughout the year.

“By being competitive they’ll be better prepared for the WRC series. The best way to do it is to have a well-organised, well-structured, competitive national series. The Government will support it.”

He noted that corporates support an organised series. “I want to see a serious KNRC back. I want to see a better-structured Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF). I am asking you as your Cabinet Secretary to organise that space,” the minister added.

Retired drivers, including Jeremiah Wahome, Hamza Anwar, Evans Kavisi, Jennifer Ayietsa, and Karan Patel were also feted.

The event was sponsored by the Government (main sponsor), KCB Bank, Talanta Hela, Kenya Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research and Training Institute (hosts of the rally HQs, media centre and service park), Safaricom’s MPesa and Kenya Airways.

Carl Tundo was the leading Kenya podium finisher of WRC2. Current KNRC leader Jasmeet Chana was the second-placed Kenyan driver in Safari. McRae Kimathi also took a WRC3 podium in an MSport Poland-prepared Ford Fiesta Rally3.