Four Female drivers have landed sponsorship from the government with Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya calling on the drivers to defy the challenging Safari Rally and tame the event known in the world as the most punishing.
This year’s Safari Rally scheduled March 20-23rd in Naivasha.
The four teams of Pauline Sheghu navigated by Linet Ayuko, Mother and daughter crew of Tinashe and Caroline Gatimu, Jennifer Malik co driven by Wangui Koi, and Lisa Christoferssen received the backing from the government through the Ministry of Creative Economy Creative Economy and Sports.
‘’We will support them so that they become role models for motorsports in the country, its not an easy sport yet they have come out very strongly and confidently, this is likely to inspire other female drivers to come and attempt the Safari Rally and break barriers’’Mvurya Stated.
Famed for its unforgiving terrain, unpredictable weather and breathtaking scenery, Safari Rally Kenya is like nothing else on the calendar. The event has transformed over the decades, but one thing has remained constant: conquering Safari is never easy.
The move is part of the government’s efforts in empowering women in sports according to Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya who challenged them to conquer the Safari Rally.
‘’We want to take this opportunity to thank them for the bold step but also to continue with The Presidents vision of empowering women in Kenya’’Mvurya remarked.
History of Safari Rally
The Marathon Years (1953 – 1972)
The Safari Rally’s story began in 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. What started as a festive event soon gained a reputation as one of motorsport’s toughest tests.
This was no ordinary rally. Crews battled across thousands of kilometres spanning Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. There were no closed roads – just remote checkpoints in the heart of the African wilderness. Torrential rain could turn tracks into impassable swamps, while scorching heat and fesh-fesh sand wreaked havoc on cars. Simply reaching the finish line was an achievement.
WRC’s Toughest Test (1973 – 2002)
Safari became part of the WRC’s inaugural season in 1973 and immediately set itself apart. While most rallies were defined by performance, Safari was a different beast – an all-out fight for survival.
Despite being one of the fastest rallies of its time – with average speeds topping 100kph – speed alone wasn’t enough to win here. Reliability was king. The brutal terrain meant the smartest, most strategic drivers often came out on top. Teams adapted with reinforced cars, raised suspension, bull bars, snorkels and even helicopters flying ahead to spot hazards like animals and oncoming vehicles.
Shekhar Mehta reigned supreme with five victories, while legends including Björn Waldegård, Juha Kankkunen, Tommi Mäkinen and Colin McRae all tamed the African wilderness. But as WRC modernised, the sheer scale of the rally became difficult to sustain. By 2002, financial and logistical challenges forced its removal from the calendar.
Many feared it was the end of an era. They were wrong.
Safari Reborn: The WRC Comeback (2021 – Present)
In 2019, it was confirmed – Safari Rally Kenya was coming back. Originally scheduled for 2020, the much-anticipated return was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But when Safari finally rejoined WRC in 2021, it proved that its legend was alive and well.
The modern-day format brought closed-road special stages, but the challenge remained monstrous. Rough gravel, deep sand, unpredictable water crossings, and wild weather kept crews on edge.
The first event back delivered classic Safari heartbreak. Thierry Neuville dominated early on, only for broken suspension to cruelly deny him victory on the final morning – handing the win to Sébastien Ogier.
Since then, Safari Rally Kenya has cemented itself as a modern WRC classic. Ogier triumphed again in 2023, while Kalle Rovanperä’s victories in 2022 and 2024 extended Toyota GAZOO Racing’s unbeaten streak in the rally’s new era.
It may no longer be a marathon, but make no mistake – Safari Rally Kenya is still one of the toughest, most unpredictable motorsport events in the world.
