The Equator Rally will be run by the newly appointed WRC Safari Rally organising committee next weekend.
Jonathan Mueke, the Principal Secretary for Sports, Arts, and Culture, confirmed this to the media on Saturday.
The Sikh Union Club, which had been tasked with organising Kenya’s round of the African Rally Championship, abruptly backed out on Friday, citing a lack of funds.
The government was said to have pledged Sh6 million to the Sikh Union Club for the Equator Rally, but the funds were delayed.
The government has now charged the newly appointed WRC Safari Rally Organizing Team with ensuring that the rally follows the full schedule.
The new WRC Safari Rally Organizing Committee, which is headed by Carl Tundo, has been promised Sh9 million shillings for the rally to be run on March 17 to 19 around Voi.
Despite several changes made by Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba at the top of team organising the WRC Safari Rally in June, the junior team in charge of setting up the route has always remained the same for both the Safari Rally and Equator Rally respectively.
The team is led by Gurvir Bhabra as Clerk of the Course. He is assisted by Anwar Sidi, Nazir Yaku and George Mwangi.
The second round of the 2023 African Rally Championship was originally to be organised by the officials under the WRC Safari Rally group before the government stepped in to disband it.
The 2023 Equator Rally is back on schedule under the umbrella of the newly appointed organizers.
The Ministry of Sports has intervened to guarantee that the event organizers receive the necessary support to make it happen since they recogniZe the significance of the event.
The two-day rally will be held by the outskirts of Voi where most of the competitive stages will be based around the Taita Estate.
The total transport distance will be 421.08 km while the Competitive distance will be 205.25km.
Leg one transport will be 143.88km, while Competitive will be 159.66km. The Leg Two Transport distance will be 71.95km while the Competitive distance will be 45.59kms.
There will be a total of Two Legs over two days of the competition. Total number of Special Stages will be 10.
