WRC Safari Rally: We Are Out To Make A Huge Statement In Naivasha- Rajveer Thethy Declares

_{From left; Shell sponsored driver Rajveer Thethy poses for a picture with Vivo Energy Kenya Retail Manager Patrick Masinde and his navigator Laban Cliff during their sponsorship announcement in Nairobi on Friday February 6, 2026. PHOTO/ SHELL VIVO ENERGY}

_{Kenya Rallycross (RX) sensation, to be navigated by Laban Cliff, is out to better the fourth-place finish in the national category of the Safari in his debut last season.}

NAIVASHA, Kenya- Kenya Rallycross (RX) sensation Rajveer Thethy says he is out to make a very huge statement in the third leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the Safari Rally, that returns to the lakeside town of Naivasha from Thursday.

The 2022 4WD Turbo Open Class national champion believes he now has what it takes to be a winner in the Safari Rally where he will ply trade in a Subaru N12 in the national category.

He says he, and his new navigator Laban Cliff, will be out to better the fourth-place finish he recorded in the national class of the rally last year.

The duo left Nairobi for Naivasha on Sunday to acclimatize for the event where their mission this season is to perch on the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) category podium.

“I learnt a lot in my debut last season and this year, Laban and I are out to push the limits.

“The fact that we have gotten support from fuel and lubricants firm Shell Vivo Energy ahead of the rally really inspires us to go for first place finish in the national classification. We are out for a really good finish in the rally,” Thethy told Standard Sports.

_{From left: Rajveer Thethy and Vivo Energy Kenya Retail Manager Patrick Masinde poses before a test drive along Thika Road last Friday. PHOTO SHELL VIVO ENERGY}

The fuel and lubricants firm is also supporting other speedsters in the rally including Tinashe Gatimu / Caroline Gatimu, Lisa Christoffersen / Christabel Wacuka, Neel Gohil / Wayne Fernandez, Michuki Hinga / Mwangi Kioni, Ishmael Azeli /John Ngugi and Suleiman Munyua who will also compete in the Shell Autocross 2026 series apart from the Safari Rally.

Before departing to Naivasha, Thethy and Laban did a test drive with the machine which Thethy indicated was in perfect condition.

“Yes, the car is in good condition. It is well fitted with all the FIA requirements. I can say we are ready to roll and looking forward to the rally,” Thethy said.

While describing the chemistry with his new navigator Cliff, the Strathmore University commerce student said: “Last year, I was with Shabaz Anwar  who called out the pace notes for me and we did great. This year, I have partnered with Laban and this combination is really lethal. Laban and I are out to make a huge statement in the Safari.

“We have done several practice sessions together and we are clicking well. We have gotten the rhythm with the car right and the chemistry behind the wheel is amazing.”

_{From left: Rajveer Thethy and Vivo Energy Kenya Retail Manager Patrick Masinde during a test drive along Thika Road last Friday. PHOTO SHELL VIVO ENERGY}

Away from the seat bucket, Thethy has been gracing the gym to stay fit for the rally which he termed as a very energy sapping sport.

“Safari Rally is more mental than physical, that’s why I combine the cardio sessions in the gym with a steam room bath where I get to focus and picture myself conquering the rough terrains of Naivasha. This has increased my mental concentration for the rally and has given me the kind of focus needed to win the event,” Thethy explained.

As he grows and develops in the sport, Thethy has huge plans to acquire his dream car, a Skodia R5, which he says will propel him to go for the main WRC category of the Safari Rally in the future.

“Right now, our Subaru N12 is not homologated for that. But we are praying to get a better machine. It has also been my dream to take part in the African Rally Champion (ARC) category, both at the Safari Rally and in the main continental series so a Skodia R5 will be a very beautiful car to help me achieve my intended dreams.”

Apart from the Safari Rally, Thethy who is a six time multi national champion will be out to look for a seventh national title as he plans to take part in various autocross events, enduro and tarmac racing championships in the course of the year.

_{From left: Rajveer Thethy and Vivo Energy Kenya Retail Manager Patrick Masinde poses before a test drive along Thika Road last Friday. PHOTO VIVO ENERGY}

Thethy says he is inspired in motorsports by his father who introduced him to the game and has been his pillar of support in the discipline ever since he was a child.

Rajveer Thethy selected national accolades

2021: 2WD national champion

2022: 4WD Turbo Open Class champion

2023: RX Junior champion

2023: RX Motorsports Kenya overall champion