As the Official Financial Partner for the Championship, set to take place from June 22 to 25, 2023 in Nakuru County, KCB Bank Kenya will allocate Kshs 100 million directly to the 2023 WRC Safari Rally event. Additionally, they will allocate Kshs 50 million to support three local drivers' sponsorships, brand activations, and customer engagements.
KCB Bank Kenya has renewed its sponsorship for two Kenyan drivers, namely Evans Kavisi and Nikhil Sachania, and they are pleased to welcome Karan Patel to the KCB sponsored team.
This sponsorship announcement reaffirms KCB's long-standing commitment to motorsport in the country. Over the past 20 years, they have invested more than KShs 1.5 billion, with the pinnacle being the Safari Rally's triumphant return to the esteemed World Rally Championships after a 20-year hiatus.
During the sponsorship launch, Mr. Paul Russo, the Chief Executive Officer of KCB Group, expressed their immense pride in being part of East Africa's motorsport narrative since 2003 when they first sponsored the Safari rally. He stated that this marks another significant chapter in their journey and reinforces their dedication to supporting sports, particularly as they celebrate the historic return of the WRC Safari Rally to Kenyan soil.
Mr. Russo also mentioned, "It is gratifying to witness how our long-standing sponsorship has contributed to the growth of motorsport in the region, providing opportunities for many young talents."
In 2019, KCB became the Official Financial Partner for the Safari Rally Kenya in the World Rally Championship (WRC) Rally, committing KShs 250 million over three years, commencing with a WRC Candidate event held in June 2019.
Hon. Ababu Namwamba, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts, shared, "We are organizing yet another remarkable rallying event to bolster Kenya's rising reputation as a global sporting destination."
KCB Bank Kenya also expressed their commitment to promoting sustainability and environmental care during sporting activities. Mr. Russo stated, "We are championing sustainability initiatives such as tree planting, recycling, and waste management throughout the Safari Rally and beyond." He further announced KCB's collaboration with other partners in a tree-planting initiative aimed at planting 400,000 trees in multiple counties this year. Last year, this partnership successfully planted 700,000 trees.
