It’s all systems go ah**d of Rally

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwambahas yesterday dismissed social media naysayers over reports that preparations for next week’s WRC Safari Rally Kenya are in tatters.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ presser to highlight the progress of the iconic African motor rallying fixture,the Cabinet Minister dispelled rumours doing rounds that plans to host the event had stagnated.

The CS re-assured the public of the government’s commitment and support towards Safari adding that the World Rally Championship status is here to stay. On Wednesday, social media was awash with reactions following a post that alleged that preparations to host this year’s event were way behind schedule as a result of internal sabotage.

The post also said that the WRC Promoter and World Rally Teams are contended with the progress made thus far.The CS also issued a stern warning against those undermining government projects.” The iconic Safari Rally is at the heart of the Government and we are not going to let anyone interfere with our projects,” said the CS at KICC where PresidentWilliam Ruto will flag off the cars on March 28. ”We are not leaving anything to chance to deliver a successful, fun-filled, safe, secure event.

We want to assure all the people of Kenya and all our guests from all over the world that we are on. We want to extend a hand of invitation to the whole world. We want to allay any concerns and fears about the preparations and give an absolute and unequivocal confirmation that we are perfectly on track.”Being the only round of the WRC on African soil, Namwamba said Kenyans are immensely proud to be a partof this rare experience.The CS also confirmed that the TalantaHela Rally School will be launched on March 27 and will have the face of Kenya in a deliberate move to unearth black indigenous drivers.

The Minister also said that the first class of the Rally School will be comprised of students from the Kasarani Tripple S spectator stage neighborhood. The SSS Stage atKasarani is traditionally Safari’s first speed test. Namwamba continued:

“We are not taking any chances on people who want to ruin the image of Safari and the country . We have invested a lot in the Safari and I can assureyou that it’s here you stay.” Stephen Etyang, an Assistant Inspector General in the IG’s office in charge of security at the Safari Rally said stern action would be taken against perpetrators of traffic offences during the rally week. Etyang advised those headed upcountryor coming to Nairobi, to plan their itineraries as early as possibleso that they don’t create that commotion that is synonymous with thepast three editions of the event.”

All security agencies have beeninvolved in this exercise whereby and we assure every memberof the public that this rally is going to be a success.””Safari is going to happen overEaster time which is a festive period and we expect a lot of movementto the western part of the country.”Etyang added:“What we want to ensure is that there is a free flow of vehicles from Nairobi,Naivasha, and Nakuru.

I’m appealing to every member of thepublic to adhere to the  traffic rules.” Patricia Mutheu, the CEO Matatu Owners Association said: “We are happy to partner with the organisationof year’s Safari Rally. We have advised our crews on the importanceof observing traffic rules and maintaining one lane so that we can make sure we have a successful event. We have talked to all our crews and together we’ll make this event historical.”