French national Sébastien Ogier clinched the top position in the World Championship Rally (WRC) safari rally Kenya leg event held in Naivasha.

Ogier seized the victory from Thierry Neville who retired from the race after breaking his Hyundai i20’s suspension on Sunday’s opening speed test. 

Thierry smashed his right rear bumper and after hitting a rock on the course.

Ogier did not just happen at the top but he also had his fair share of mishaps after suffering suspension hitches on Friday but he still managed to top with a total time of 3:18:11.3 in a Toyota Yaris.

In the second position came Japan’s Katruta Takamoto, also in a Toyota Yaris. His performance was exemplary throughout the event save for a couple of engine stalls and a faulty windshield heater.

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The faulty heater cost him some time since he had to stop along the road and clear the mist on his glass. His total time was 3:18:33.1

The third position went to Ott Tanak in Hyundai i20 Coupé clocking 3:18:20.8.

Hosts did not take it lying down and could not afford to miss from the list of top ten performers as they clinched the 7th, 8th and 9th positions.

Onkar Rai took the 7th position in a Volkswagen Poli Gti and clocked 3:47:37.7 followed by Karan Patel in the 8th position driving a Ford Fiesta and clocking 3:51:41.7. Veteran rally driver Carl Tundo came in the 9th position in his Volkswagen Polo Gti with a total time of 3:54:52.0.

Kenyan participants were urged by President Uhuru Kenyatta to work hard to improve their results in the future.

He announced that Kenya secured the rights to host the WRC sports event for the next 5 years.