KCB Bank Kenya has announced a sponsorship of KES 150 million for the 2023 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, which will take place from June 22 to 25 in Nakuru County.
The bank will be the Official Financial Partner for the championship, which marks the third year of the Safari Rally’s return to the WRC calendar after a 19-year absence.
Of the total sponsorship amount, KES 100 million will go directly to the event, while KES 50 million will support three local drivers, brand activations and customer engagements.
The three drivers sponsored by KCB are Evans Kavisi, Nikhil Sachania and Karan Patel, who will join the elite group of competitors in the WRC Safari Rally.
KCB Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paul Russo, said that the bank was proud to be part of East Africa’s motorsport story since 2003, when it first sponsored the Safari Rally.
He said that the sponsorship was a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to supporting sports development and youth empowerment in the region.
“It is a great pleasure to see that our sponsorship over the years has resulted in the growth of motorsport in the region opening up the sport to many young talents.” Mr. Russo said.
He also said that the bank was championing sustainability initiatives such as tree planting, recycling and waste management during and after the Safari Rally.
The WRC Safari Rally Kenya is expected to be a challenging and exciting event, with closed dirt roads, stunning scenery and exotic wildlife.
Competitors will have to deal with rocky and rutted tracks, unpredictable weather and mechanical sympathy.
The event will also showcase Kenya’s growing profile as a global sporting arena and attract tourists and investors to the country.
The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, said that the government was putting together a massive rallying event that would exceed the expectations of all stakeholders.