Hyenas, engine, frustrate Uhuru

By Douglas Mazune WHOEVER thought former world champion Marcus Gronholm was the first major casualty of the tough Inmarset Safari rally, is not a Ugandan.Gronholm, in a Peugeot 206 WRC, lasted only nine minutes in the ‘killer rally.’But, 10 minutes before the cars set off from Safari Park Hotel at 6.00am on Friday, Uganda’s own Salim Uhuru, in a Toyota Hilux, got an engine knock.That marked the end of the rally for the prominent Ugandan rally caterer, with the worst hit being the hundreds of Ugandan fans who had expected to be served with local dishes on the route out of Nairobi.The Uhuru Catering Services debut at the Safari having ended even before it started, Salim was forced to give the food to hungry hyenas that stalked his car.“The hyenas smelt fried chicken and meat and really harassed us until we let go,” Uhuru said. “It was such a big loss.”Efforts to hire a pick-up car to proceed to Suswa viewing point where fans cheered Charles Muhangi were futile.The popular caterer promised he would travel with a service crew for next year’s Safari.“I can’t give up, I have to serve my customers,” Uhuru said.Only 11 out of 48 cars finished the rally.Ends