Kenya and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on Thursday announced the postponement of this year's Safari Rally, which was due to be held in Nairobi and Naivasha from July 16 to 19.
Safari Rally, Kenya's premier motorsport competition, had been readmitted into the 14-tier World Rally Championship (WRC) for an initial three year period starting in 2020 to 2022, but with the safety and health of the drivers and their crews, Kenya and FIA agreed to push back the event until such a time that it will be viable to stage it.
A new date will be announced after Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and WRC officials hold a virtual meeting.
"A decision will be made after our Monday meeting on how long the postponement will be. What is important at the moment is for the crews and drivers and the fans to have certainty, which can't be assured now by Covid-19 pandemic," Amina said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Renault says "the vast majority" of staff at its UK Formula 1 base have been put on enforced absence until at least the end of May.
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It is applying for the government furlough scheme, which guarantees employees 80% of their earnings up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.
Renault said it would top up the government money so all staff receive at least 80 per cent of their salaries. The company will review its position as the coronavirus crisis develops.
The move means the "vast majority" of its staff will have been on "total shutdown" from 1 April, Renault said.
In addition to its measures at its factory at Enstone in Oxfordshire, Renault said its engine base at Viry-Chatillon near Paris was put on a part-time schedule.
