Drummers, ma-ndai, mafans wa ma-ndai kama Mimi... yaani what a way to start a day!
That was the WRC launch and it started with guests arriving from as early as 7:30A.M at Kencom House, Moi Avenue I was ready and full of syke, seated almost at 8 o’clock, niki-sip kahawa yangu polepolee… bila pressure. Syke muhimu, si unaelewa?
The MC of the day; Mr. Sean Cardovillis, alitukaribisha wote a few moments afterwards, na ratiba ikaanza kusonga. Tulianza kupewa MbweMbwe na group moja deadly kutoka Dagoretti inaitwa SLUM DRUMMERS. SLUM DRUMMERS wako na backstory very interesting. Ni wasee young (early 20s), former street kids, na drums zao zime-make-iwa from recycled material. Talk about living sustainably through art! Walikuwa wanapiga drums in an almost perfect synchronization. I didn’t know drumming has an enticing feel and rhythm.
Halafu tuliingia straight kwa speech mbili tatu. We had the Guest of Honour; Hon. Ababu Namwamba, CS for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts – ambaye alikuwa amepiga luku – who praised KCB’s efforts towards championing and investing in Kenya’s sports potential.
KCB Group CEO, Mr. Paul Russo also chimed in na ali-hand over cheques to the rally drivers, which totalled to Ksh. 150Million.
The red carpet… oh wai, ‘twas actually green. The green carpet, lined with well cut-out posters of the Rally drivers was a good sight na picha tulizipiga kama 60. Hapo ilikuwa tu smiles kibao na ma-pose zimeenda group of schools. Usiulize hata!
After the speeches were done, all guests proceeded to the three rally cars outdoors na zilikuwa ready to be revved up for a short mock race along Moi Avenue.
Lakini before the Rally drivers waingie kwa the Rally cars, we were fully entertained by the Zangalewa Dancers. Mnawakumbuka from back in the day? Tushajua miaka yako. Cheza chini sasa.
CS Ababu Namwamba alipata a feel of the first rally car out of the three, kufuatiwa na our Group CEO, Paul Russo, then Sports PS Eng. Peter Tum. Yours truly hapa pia niliingia one of the rally cars, na nilijinice sana. I noticed ni ma-ndai very different from the usual. Seatbelt zikona grip moja ya kimataifa, steering iko na style yake unique, na usisahau each and every rally car inaweza beba tu watu wawili at any given time: Driver na Navigator.
One particular driver: Mr. Nikhil Sachania, a paraplegic, alinibamba na the fact that he’s still really passionate about rally driving. Tulipiga stori kadhaa na yeye. He didn’t let his injury pin him down despite breaking his spine. If Inspiration was a person, it’s Nikhil for sure, any day! Major comeback yake was the 2022 WRC Rally and he’s more than ready for this year’s.
Ndai yake pia iko custom-made for him to still perform just like other drivers. Sema Determination. Sema Passion. Sema Consistency (he’s been driving for 9Yrs). Tuwachie hapo for now.
In a nutshell, launch ilikuwa amaaazing and I’ll crown this off by stating that this year’s WRC is a triple-anniversary celebration;
20Yrs of KCB supporting the WRC
70Yrs of Safari Rally in Kenya
50Yrs of the WRC
So wadau, uko ready ku-FEEL THE ROAR? Uko geared up for a one-of-a-kind thrill? Na umechanua crew yako? Cause the Kings of the Track are back!
Tarehe ni 22nd to 25th June, pale Naivasha. Hii si ya kukosa! Tokea as we cheer on Team Kenya to Glory! VRROOOOMMM!