Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has appointed veteran rally driver Carl Tundo as the Chief Executive Officer of the WRC Rally Project through a special Kenya Gazette Notice.
The CS revoked the appointment of Charles Gacheru, who was appointed in February 2024 to serve for three years.
“It is notified for general information of the public that pursuant to Gazette Notice No 1769 of 2024, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports appoints Carl Tundo to the Chief Executive Officer of the World rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Project and Secretary to the Oversight Team for the World Rally Championship (WRC)
Safari Rally Project, with effect from 5th June 2026. The appointment of Charles Gacheru is revoked,” reads the notice.
Tundo’s appointment comes hot on the heels of a change of guard after the secretariat appointed in 2024 was officially disbanded on May 27.
The latest development is an indication that the government will continue playing an important role in the management of the Safari Rally even though President William Ruto said that the private sector will, in the future, fund the operations of the world famous motorsport event.
Tundo’s first order of business is to secure the 2027 WRC Safari Rally in the world championship calendar. He was first called in to manage the 2026 WRC Safari Rally, which was facing financial and managerial challenges, in March.
Tundo’s first order of business is to secure the 2027 WRC Safari Rally in the world championship calendar. He was first called in to manage the 2026 WRC Safari Rally, which was facing financial and managerial challenges, in March.
In 2023, Tundo served as the chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Safari Rally.
Several countries have already secured long-term contracts in the WRC, including Scotland and Spain this year, while the United States looks set to join the calendar in 2027.
The 53-year-old Tundo is a five-time winner of the Safari Rally before its return to the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Carlo made history in 2009 when he won the rally while it was part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, making him the first and only Kenyan winner of an IRC round.
