The Motorsport Kenya Federation (MKF) recently held a high-level meeting with government officials to discuss the future of motorsport in Kenya. The meeting, chaired by Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya, was attended by MKF representatives, including Vice President and WRC CEO Carl Tundo, Secretary General Eric Bengi, and Chairman of the Motorsports Council Mindo Gatimu. The discussions centered on rebuilding Kenyan motorsport, with an emphasis on grassroots development and youth participation.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the Federation and the Government to discuss the progress being made in rebuilding Kenyan motorsport. The Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary noted that they had been receiving updates on the grassroots and youth development programmes being undertaken by MKF, particularly through the Autocross Championship. This championship has provided an important entry point for young drivers and aspiring competitors into organised motorsport.
The Government representatives expressed their interest in seeing the National Rally Championship revived and strengthened, creating a clear pathway for Kenyan drivers, teams, and officials to progress from grassroots competition to the highest levels of national and international motorsport. The Federation reiterated that its objective is not only to revive the sport domestically but to restore Kenya's position as a motorsport leader in the region and on the international stage.
During the meeting, Tundo thanked the Government for their continued support towards the revival of motorsport in Kenya. He emphasized that with the right structure, investment, and cooperation, they can rebuild the sport from the grassroots upwards. The Federation is committed to working closely with the Government and all stakeholders to implement plans already put in place to rebuild Kenyan motorsport.
The meeting also discussed the upcoming WRC Safari Rally, scheduled for March 2027. The Principal Secretary confirmed the government's preparations and focus on the next edition of the iconic Kenyan event. The Safari Rally remains one of Kenya's most important international sporting events, showcasing its sporting, tourism, and commercial potential to a global audience.
The continued success of the Safari Rally must go hand in hand with the development of national and grassroots motorsport, ensuring that the benefits of international motorsport reach Kenyan competitors, officials, teams, and young people across the country. This commitment will be on display with the Shell Autocross and Autocross Plus Championship returning to the Kasarani Sports Complex SSS Grounds on October 10 and 11, 2026.
The Autocross Championship has become an important platform for introducing young competitors to motorsport and developing the next generation of Kenyan drivers. As Kenya prepares for another WRC Safari Rally in March 2027, the Federation says its focus will remain on building a sustainable motorsport structure that gives Kenyan talent the opportunity to progress from local competition to national championships and ultimately to international competition.
Key points
- The Motorsport Kenya Federation and government officials met to discuss the future of motorsport in Kenya.
- The meeting focused on grassroots development, youth participation, and the upcoming World Rally Championship Safari Rally.
- The Federation aims to restore Kenya's position as a motorsport leader in the region and on the international stage.
