Sports CS Amina Mohamed to flag off ARC Equator Rally on Friday

Sports CS Amina Mohamed. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed is set to flag off the ARC Equator Rally in Naivasha on Friday afternoon.

CS Mohamed will be accompanied by Sports CASs Zack Kinuthia and Simon Kachapin.

The organisers confirmed on Thursday evening that the African Rally Championship (ARC) event has attracted 33 participants from Africa and beyond.

They include 20 Kenyans, eight Ugandans, two Rwandans with South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Slovakia and United Kingdom entering one contestant each.

World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Project CEO Phineas Kimathi hailed the state of the art centre established at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) park in Naivasha to manage the rally.

The centre has a media department, a general service park, a scrutineering section, hospitality department, start-up and the finish run.

"We have 62 days remaining for the WRC to take place.

"The Equator event will be a test run to the global showdown that Africa and Kenya has missed for 19 years," Kimathi stated.

WRC Safari Rally Project CEO Phineas Kimathi addresses media at the KWS service park in Naivasha during scrutineering, free practice and installation of tracking devices ahead of the ARC Equator Rally on Friday. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The centre has fast internet connectivity to ensure the Equator Rally proceedings are streamed live in real time.

Also, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company has set up a new stable power grid to avail energy to the centre expected to operate 24 hours.

"Security is very tight. It is being provided by the KWS, the National Youth Service and the Kenya Police.

"Everyone is secure. The visitors who have travelled as far as Europe are feeling confident," said Kimathi.

The motorsport boss said the Equator Rally is taking part in interesting times when the world is being shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Racing cars undergoing mechanical check-ups at the KWS service park ahead of the ARC Equator Rally. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

He said it is proof that the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Sports, is capable of hosting an international championship while observing the COVID-19 protocols.

"The Government has ensured the stakeholders in this championship are safe and secure," he said.

While commenting on the rally route, Kimathi said the drivers should prepare for a gruelling showdown which will be challenging at the same time scenic.

"The idea of the Safari is to live our long time reputation of being the toughest challenge in the world," said Kimathi.