The World Rally Championship (WRC) African edition returns to Kenya once more, with the Easter Safari Rally scheduled to take place in Naivasha from the 28th to 31st March.
Safaricom, a prominent telecommunications company in Kenya, is partnering with WRC as the official technology partner. This collaboration entails a KES 36 million sponsorship from Safaricom to support the event.
As the official provider of internet for the four-day rally, Safaricom is deploying five mobile cell towers known as Cell on Wheels (COWs). These COWs will be strategically placed at key points around the event, including Hell’s Gate, Soysambu, and the Kedong spectator stage, to ensure internet coverage, crucial for the anticipated large crowds.
Beyond technology, Safaricom is contributing KES 5 million to support a talented young Kenyan driver, Hamza Anwar, participating in the WRC3 with a Rally 3 Ford Fiesta. Peter Ndegwa, the CEO of Safaricom, emphasized their commitment to nurturing talent, citing Hamza Anwar’s passion and resilience in his motorsport career.
Hamza’s rally car will feature a Smart Vehicle Tracking System powered by Safaricom’s Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This system, already utilized by businesses for fleet management, monitors trip details such as time, speed, route, fuel consumption, and driver behavior.
Additionally, Safaricom’s M-PESA Global money transfer service is collaborating with the M-Sport Ford rally team, sponsoring French driver Adrien Fourmaux for the rest of the year. Adrien Fourmaux’s car and racing gear will prominently display the M-PESA brand.
This year’s WRC rally has attracted 29 entries, returning to its original Easter holiday schedule after 26 years. Notable participants include reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera, alongside WRC frontrunners like Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, Ott Tänak, and Thierry Neuville. Exciting young talent like Adrien Fourmaux complements experienced veterans such as Gregoire Munster, Jourdan Serderidis, and Oliver Solberg.
Local hero Carl “Flash” Tundo, a five-time Safari Rally champion, will lead the Kenyan team, comprising top drivers like Equator Rally champion Karan Patel, Singh Vohra, Aarkif Virani, Hamza Anwar, Minesh Rathod, and Andrew Muiruri.
