The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has assembled a dedicated team of Air Traffic Control Officers to provide air traffic services and weather information to guide rally team helicopters.
They are to also coordinate Very Important People(VIP) movement as well as provide alerting services to aircraft that will be engaged in the rally.
“KCAA has a dedicated Air Traffic Control – Flight Information Service Desk at the WRC Safari Rally service park manned by two Air Traffic Controllers and a team leader,” said Capt. Gilbert M. Kibe, Director General, KCAA.
In addition, the team will also be responsible for the coordination of Medical Evacuation (Medivac) flights and ensuring expeditious facilitation of aircraft in distress, in case of any eventuality.
The over 20 registered aircraft will mainly be engaged in ferrying VIPs, journalists covering the rally and Medical Evacuation teams among others.
They have also released procedures which are subject to change depending on prevailing conditions and they will remain in force till Sunday.
According to KCAA, the procedures have been developed in coordination with the rally organizers.
Kibe urged members of the public are to keep a safe distance from aircraft that are taking off or landing during this period.
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday officially flagged off the 2021 WRC Safari Rally Kenya at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre grounds.
flagged off the first ten rally cars that included three Kenyan teams comprising Carl Tundo, Hamza Anwar and Mcrae Kimathi as well as 91-year old three times European champion Sobieslaw Zasada who becomes the oldest competitor in the history of World Rally Championship.
Kenyatta commended the event organizers and all stakeholders for their diligence and hard work that ensured the resumption of the safari rally after a 19-year hiatus.
The Head of State said the Safari Rally holds a special place in the country’s history, saying the event is synonymous with the country’s growth.
“Over the years, the rally maintained its ‘rough and tough’ reputation. It ensured that we tested both our physical limits on the roads, and our innovative strengths in the development of bigger and faster machines,” President Kenyatta said.
He emphasized the need for citizens to always safeguard their personal safety while on the roads even as the Government fulfils its obligations in enhancing road safety.
“Let us be our brother’s keepers and promote safe road user behaviour,” he added.