Meru Governor H.E. Kiraitu Murungi has this morning officiated over the unveiling of Meru 2019 KCB Safari Rally Championships, which is now part of the World Rally Series, and will be the first rally event to be held in Meru after 9 years.
The high octane competition will be held from November 9, 2019(next month), and will cover 158km beginning from Nkubu through Kanyakine,Maraa,Kieni Kia Ndege,Kinoro,Gaturi,Ngongo,Mwichiune, then Nkubu through Meru town to Gitoro ASK Showground, then Showground through Kenya Re, to Kibirichia, and then Kibirichia through Ntugi to Kwa Mungania in lower Buuri Sub County.
Kenya’s Safari Rally Contests including the upcoming KCB Meru Edition was readmitted into the World Rally Championships (WRC) series this year by the world governing body, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile(FIA) after 18 year break, and the first leg of the circuit is slated to take place on July 16-19, 2020(next year).
Governor Kiraitu and Deputy Governor Ntuchiu takes a ride in one of the rally cars
While unveiling the rally, Governor Kiraitu paid glowing tribute to sons and daughters of Meru who have excelled in the sport, even becoming the lead officials of the Rally Championships at the world level, including the WRC Secretary and former East African winner of Uganda Series, Ms. Hellen Kagendo(who is in charge of this year’s route), Kenya Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi who is also a veteran rally driver, his son Macrea Kimathi who is currently the youngest top driver in the country, Mr. Nkubu Amwari and his son Issa Amwari, Eric Bengi, top female national Safari Rally navigator Ms. Mionki, among others.
“As a County we are truly excited to be chosen as the host and co-sponsors of the Championships with our close partners KCB Bank with whom we have also partnered in many other areas. I also wish to say that as the Governor of Meru I am extremely proud that of the top Rally drivers in Kenya, one third are sons and daughters of this County,” said the Governor.
The Governor also noted that the rally will be another great milestone in his Government’s vision to improve sports and tourism, after the successful Meru 4 by 4 Challenge which led up to Lake Ellis on Mt. Kenya in June, and the upcoming Mt. Kenya Mountain Marathon to be held in February next year, aimed at aiding in ecotourism conservation of the endangered Mountain bongo species and also raising funds for establishment of Meru Cancer Institute and Cancer Center due to the high cancer cases in the County.
Congratulations to the winners and Thanks to all those participated and attended this year’s Meru County first mountain tourism event. We look forward to seeing your at our next events.