Mass resignation rocks Kenya Rallies Commission amid leadership crisis at KMSF

Mass resignation rocks Kenya Rallies Commission amid leadership crisis at KMSF

Abigael Wafula 21:03 - 30.08.2024

The entire Kenya Rallies Commission, including prominent figures like WRC winner Ian Duncan, resigned on August 30 due to internal conflicts and a lack of effective leadership within the Kenya Motorsport Federation, which has eroded trust among stakeholders and negatively impacted the sport in Kenya.

The entire Kenya Rallies Commission resigned on Friday, August 30, citing a lack of effective leadership from the Kenya Motorsport Federation (KMSF) Board and Council.

This absence of leadership has caused internal conflicts, which in turn have negatively affected the partners' trust in both the Board and Council of the sport in the country.

Among those who resigned are notable figures such as World Rally Championship (WRC) Winner Ian Duncan, African Rally Championship (ARC) winner Karan Patel, and top female co-drivers Linet Ayuko and Tuta Mionki.

FIA Certified officials Musa Locho, Norris Ong’alo, Gurvir Bhabra, Shameer Yusuf, and Richard Onyoni also stepped down following the appointment of Jim Kahumbura as the KMSF chairman, replacing Maina Muturi.

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In a letter addressed to the Motorsport Council Chairman, Richard Onyoni, who served as the Kenya Rallies Commission chairman, emphasized the commission's commitment to upholding the integrity and best interests of the sport.

"As Chairman of the Rallies Commission, and on behalf of its members, we hereby tender our immediate resignation from our roles,” he said.

He highlighted the disruptive internal conflicts stemming from the lack of leadership within the KMSF Board and Council, which have hampered their ability to fulfil their duties effectively.

These conflicts, now public, have eroded confidence among stakeholders, competitors, and sponsors, all of whom the Rallies Commission is obligated to serve.

“The lack of leadership from the KMSF BOD and Motorsport Council, which has led to internal wrangles, severely impacting on our mandate to perform and carry out our duties and obligations. As a result of these internal wrangles, which are now being played out in public, there is a total lack of confidence amongst the stakeholders, competitors, and sponsors all of whom we are as Rallies Commission obliged to serve,” he added.

Onyoni further emphasized that the members of the Rallies Commission have made significant positive contributions to the sport and expressed their disinterest in becoming involved in matters that do not benefit Motorsports in Kenya.

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