State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita participated at the 67th World Rally Championship that began on Friday and was among the 27 who finished the race out of 48 drivers who started.
Navigated by co-driver Laban-Cliff Onserio in car No. 60, a Mitsubishi Evolution 9, Waita completed the rally at position 24.
Speaking prior to the competition that was flagged off by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Chief of Staff explained that he had to convince the Head of State to allow him to make a comeback in the rally after several years of absence.
"I think people including the president are just waiting to see what will happen. He's very supportive and what he told me was not to come last so I'll endeavor not to be last," Waita explained to CGTN Africa journalist Saddique Shaban.
Baldev Chager clinched victory in the championship on Sunday making it his third Safari Rally title.
“I am overjoyed to win the rally after a tough battle for the competition. This rally has been one of the toughest events in my rallying career. It was a hard struggle but in the end, we succeeded as the overall winners,’’ Chager was quoted by Nation.
He edged out Carl Tundo who finished second in a Mitsubishi Lancer car with Tim Jessop.
Manvir Baryan finished third after experienced some misfortunes in the last few kilometres.
“That stage was pathetic and should not have been allowed. Our car sucked in a lot of dust till the radiator got blocked. The temperature gauge was reading 130 degrees celsius. We lost more than six minutes to clean it but by then, two cars had overtaken us. I’m not happy at all,” Baryan stated.
The youngest competitor, McRae Kimathi, 24, finished in position 21 at the Sopa Lodge in Naivasha.
Here is the video of Nzioka Waita speaking on how he convinced Uhuru to let him compete from 2:50:
