On Wednesday, President William Ruto paid a visit to Safari Rally Kenya, where he had the opportunity to ride in the co-drivers seat of Loubet's M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 during the event's shakedown stage. This marked Ruto's inaugural encounter with the World Rally Championship (WRC), which has maintained a longstanding connection with the country through the annual Safari Rally. Notably, this year's Safari Rally commemorates its 70th anniversary.


Loubet acknowledged that hauling the president of the country through a rally stage was nerve-wracking, but the Frenchman was able to give Kenya's president a genuine flavor of the WRC.


“It was a very nice moment and it was not stressful at the beginning but when the security guard came to see me he told me I had to drive at 50kph,” said Loubet. “I said maybe he would not want to do that so I drove fast out so I felt a bit of responsibility.

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“When the security told me to not go fast and we went fast I knew I had the biggest responsibility. It was a bit stressful but it was fine.”


Ruto was left stunned by the ride, stating: “I don’t know what to say, that thing is crazy. Absolute madness – but it is an experience you cannot forget.


“The sheer speed, you can hardly see the road, you can hardly see the bend. These guys are really professional, it’s a life-changing adventure.”Pierre-Louis Loubet, Nicolas Gilsoul, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1


Nicolas Gilsoul, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1, and Pierre-Louis Loubet


Since the first Safari Rally in 1953, rallying has remained one of the most well-liked sports in the country, and the event is one of the biggest in the world, bringing in thousands of spectators and £40 million to the economy.



The rally has a contract in place with the WRC until 2026.


“It is not just about the rally car, it is not just about the drivers, it is not just about the support teams – it is a whole of Kenya event. The carnival, the excitement, the celebration – it is just that captivating,” Ruto added.


“Millions of Kenyans are engrossed in this. We will have great difficulty on Thursday and Friday to keep everybody at work.


“Those who have reasons will look for those reasons, those who don’t have reasons will look for excuses. I will be working tomorrow, unfortunately for me,” he joked.


The rally begins on Thursday with a super special stage in Nairobi.