Sports CS Amina Mohammed Pays Tribute To Fallen Rally Driver Jonathan Toroitich
23rd April 2019
He came into the rally when many Kenyans needed indigenous names to identify with in the popular sport, bringing a fresh breath and renewed interest by local enthusiasts into the sport
- As the country continues to mourn the passing of celebrated rally ace Jonathan Toroitich Moi, Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Heritage, Ambassador Amina Mohammed on Tuesday hailed the local sporting icon
- n a statement, Amina celebrated the son of retired president Daniel arap Moi as a sporting hero who will go down the annals of history as one of the finest indigenous rally drivers of his generation
- The history of Safari Rally, particularly concerning the participation of indigenous rally drivers cannot be written without the mention of Jonathan Toroitich who was popularly known as JT
NAIROBI, Kenya- As
the country continues to mourn the passing of celebrated rally ace Jonathan
Toroitich Moi, Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Heritage, Ambassador Amina
Mohammed on Tuesday hailed the local sporting icon.
In a statement, Amina celebrated the son of retired
president Daniel arap Moi as a sporting hero who will go down the annals of
history as one of the finest indigenous rally drivers of his generation.
“It is with great sorrow that I have learnt of the death of
Kenya’s Safari Rally icon, Jonathan Kipkemboi Toroitich.
“Many Kenyans knew and worked with Jonathan in many spheres
of life. They loved him for many
reasons. But we, in Sports adored him
for his love and prowess in motor sport,” Mohammed stated.
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On Easter weekend, when rally fans usually enjoyed Safari
Rally then part of the World Rally Championships, Kenya coincidentally lost one
of the sports pioneers on Good Friday.
The history of Safari Rally, particularly concerning the
participation of indigenous rally drivers cannot be written without the mention
of Jonathan Toroitich who was popularly known as JT.
He came into
the rally when many Kenyans needed indigenous names to identify with in the
popular sport, bringing a fresh breath and renewed interest by local
enthusiasts into the sport.
Many fans
would wait along the route to watch him drive by, and walk back home,
thereafter.
“On behalf
of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage I send my deepest condolences
to his family, friends and relatives of the late JT, and the entire motorsports
fraternity at this time of great loss and sorrow.
“May the
Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace,” Mohammed continued.
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Toroitich
mentored many rally drivers, navigators and crew who today participate in races
across the world. He has passed on at a time when the country is revamping the
Safari Rally Sport.
Ambassador
Mohammed continued to urge Kenyans to comply with the sets of rules of
participation as Kenya gears to get our own Safari Rally Championship back as a
World Rally Championship (WRC) event.
“I wish to
urge all rally fans and enthusiasts to comply with set rules of participation
and keep a safe distance from the cars during the Local and International
events which will be taking place in Kenya and beyond,” she concluded.