By James Murimi - Reporter
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Kenya, July 29, 2026 - Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has pledged the county's support to former Kenya National Chess Champion Alfa Mwaura as he embarks on an ambitious journey to compete in the 2027 World Rally Championship (WRC), in a move aimed at boosting sports tourism and putting Nyeri on the global motorsport map.
The governor made the commitment on Wednesday when he hosted Mwaura and fellow motorsport enthusiast Annex Kagambi during a courtesy call at his office.
Mwaura, who won the Kenya National Chess Championship in 2008 before switching to motorsport, is seeking partnerships to support his preparations for his international racing debut.
His campaign is expected to culminate in participation in the 2027 WRC series, where he hopes to become one of the few Kenyan drivers to compete at the highest level of the sport.
As part of his build-up, Mwaura will compete in a pre-WRC event in Nairobi within the next two weeks alongside other Kenyan rally drivers as he fine-tunes his preparations for the global championship.
Governor Kahiga described Mwaura as an inspiration to young people, saying his determination to transition from chess to rally driving demonstrated resilience and ambition.
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He said the county was keen to support initiatives that market Nyeri as a hub for sports tourism while nurturing local talent capable of excelling on the international stage.
"As a son of Nyeri, I wish him every success as he pursues his dream of competing on the world stage and raising both the county's and Kenya's profile in international motorsport," Kahiga said.
The governor also expressed confidence that Mwaura's campaign would inspire more young Kenyans to pursue careers in motorsport and other sporting disciplines.
Political Adviser Washington Kariuki and Chief Officer in the Governor's Office Nahashon Mung'ora were present during the meeting.