As he takes over the reins at the Kenya Motorsports Federation (KMSF), longtime motorsports administrator Maina Muturi admits he has a crowded in-tray that warrants his immediate attention.
Muturi says he wants to make Kenyan motorsports great again by improving the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC), complying with the Sports Act, attracting many corporate partners and developing talents from an early age.
These are the key pillars of his new administration, which he believes will enhance Kenya’s reputation as a motorsports hub in Africa, and worldwide.
“One of the areas I want to emphasise on is bringing back the KNRC that has gone down in the year 2022/2023 where we are getting very minimal entries. We are looking at the Safari Rally and we want to see how to promote and enhance additional local entries. Obviously, we will be reaching out to the government as well for support,” Muturi explains.
Concerning the 2013 Sports Act, Muturi reiterates that compliance to the same will touch on all aspects of the motorsports industry including local rally clubs.
“We must align ourselves with the Sports Act as a federation and all the clubs who are members of the federation will have to do that. We need to be in conformity and in that way we can attract more government assistance and funding. So, I’ll be working on that as soon as possible,” he says.
Favourite brainchild
However, Muturi’s ‘favourite brainchild’ that he would love to nurture to maturity is a comprehensive talent development programme that leverages on the already-existing age-group competitions around the country.
“More importantly…is the development of youth in sports, be it autocross…be it karting because that is where it all begins. If you look at some of the most successful drivers today in rallying, in Formula One…they started in motorcross or karting,” he explains.
Muturi continues: “In support of the government, in creating sports academies, we will promote and develop and work with the government in that area.
Thus far the industry has come is down to corporate partners who have contributed resources towards various motorsports events — a fact not lost on Muturi.
“I want to thank all the volunteers who spend endless resources. Corporates who have walked with us…please come back and support us,” Muturi urges.
Wind of change
Muturi was propelled to the top of local governing body on Friday night, succeeding immediate former chair Phineas Kimathi whose term ended on November 2 last year.
This is the second time Muturi — chair of the East Africa Motorsports Club — will be heading KMSF having been at the helm in 2007/08 before making way for Dave Macharia.
Kimathi will continue serving as the CEO of the WRC Safari Rally and member of the FIA World Rally Championship Committee as well as a KMSF director representing Rallye Sports Club.
