• Caroline and Tinashe Gatimu embody the spirit of empowerment Kihika celebrated. They made history in 2023 as the first mother-daughter team to finish the Safari Rally, repeating the feat in 2024 and 2025.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika joined the Deputy President (DP) Kithure Kindiki and other leaders during the flagging-off of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in Naivasha on March 12, 2026, as she welcomed the world to Nakuru County.

Addressing drivers, rally teams, and thousands of enthusiasts, she declared Nakuru County the ultimate proving ground for motorsport resilience.

“We are blessed with an exceptional county that offers the perfect mix to test the resilience of top-notch motor vehicle engineering: rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, wildlife encounters, and a warm, hospitable population,” Kihika said, welcoming the world to Nakuru.

But beyond the terrain and spectacle, the governor’s focus was on the women breaking barriers in motorsport. She singled out Caroline and Tinashe Gatimu—the trailblazing mother-and-daughter duo who have become icons of Kenyan rallying.

“I was impressed by the number of women drivers taking part in the rally, especially the mother and daughter duo of Caroline and Tinashe Gatimu. I wish them luck in the tough encounter and for being a good example to our daughters,” she added.

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The flagging-off of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in Naivasha on March 12, 2026. (Photo: Facebook)

Women at the Wheel

Caroline and Tinashe Gatimu embody the spirit of empowerment Kihika celebrated. They made history in 2023 as the first mother-daughter team to finish the Safari Rally, repeating the feat in 2024 and 2025.

At just 21, Tinashe now drives a newly upgraded Ford Fiesta R2, guided by her mother’s seasoned navigation. Their journey from a Subaru Impreza GC8 to world-stage competitiveness symbolizes the growing presence of women in a male-dominated sport.

Rally as an Economic Engine

Kihika stressed that the Safari Rally is more than a sporting spectacle, it is an economic catalyst. She pointed to the boost for tourism, local traders, and contractors, urging motor vehicle manufacturers to partner with Nakuru in strengthening mechanical and electrical engineering training at Vocational Training Centres.

 “We remain open to collaborations aimed at transforming the VTC training landscape in Nakuru County,” she said, tying motorsport to long-term skills development.

National Spotlight

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki underscored the rally’s global stature, calling it the toughest and most intense in the WRC calendar. He revealed that the government had invested 400 million shillings in event fees to the International Automobile Federation, with corporate sponsors stepping in to support Kenya’s showcase.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the flagging-off of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in Naivasha on March 12, 2026. (Photo: Facebook)

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano added that over 100 million viewers across 150 countries were tuning in.

“They are witnessing Kenya’s capacity to host the world with logistical precision, world-class security, and unmatched hospitality,” she said, branding Kenya as the “Origin of Wonder.”

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano. (Photo: Facebook) 

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