Kenya’s motorsport crisis to deepen as another faction emerges

The sport stakeholders led by legendary rally champion Ian Duncan Friday accused interim KMSF chairman Jim Kahumbura of poor leadership and high-handedness.

The 1994 WRC Safari Rally Kenya winner said the boardroom fights will have a far-reaching negative effects on the sport after the entire Kenya Rallies Commission and Autocross Commission resigned earlier this month.

“KMSF have forgotten their main stakeholders, that is the competitors, officials and volunteers,” said Duncan.

“Competitors are not interested in the politics of KMSF and the boardroom fights. They want a functioning governing body that represents the interests of the sport’s stakeholders.”

The stakeholders alleged they have formed a new constitution under a newly formed Motorsports Association of Kenya, which seeks to become the new ruling authority over motorsports in the country.

They also alleged that over 1,000 fans, officials, marshals and drivers signed a petition in approval of the move, since many believe that KMSF no longer fulfils the needs and desires of the community.

Immediate Kenya Rallies Commission chair Richard Onyoni, who resigned alongside other commissioners, said the move will ‘save the sinking sport’ adding that over 1,000 fans, officials, marshals and drivers have signed a petition to have the new faction take over the leadership of motorsport.

“MAK call upon the relevant governmental and sporting bodies to step in and take sufficient corrective actions to restore credibility, transparency and enthusiasm in Kenyan Motorsports,” he said.

The association also called for the registrar, who is yet to officially approve the organisation as the sport’s new federation, to acknowledge that the competitors, marshals and volunteers are the backbone of motorsports in Kenya and demand a fresh start.

Kahumbura was installed as the head of the KMSF following a Board of Directors meeting last month and will serve on an interim basis while Rohit Budhia takes over as the interim Motor Sport Council Chairman until the next Annual General Meeting scheduled for October 9.