Tinashe And Her Mother Join Big Boys After KCB Bank Boost
Tinashe Gatimu (second right) with Sports C.S Salim Mvurya (fifth right), Sports P.S Peter Tum (third right) and other drivers during WRC Safari Rally sponsorship unveiling by KCB Bank at Kencom in Nairobi on Thursday January 30,2025. PHOTOS/ JONAH ONYANGO
NAIROBI, Kenya- Young Tinashe Gatimu is among the speedsters who are out to conquer the third leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the Safari Rally, slated for Naivasha on March 20-23.
Tinashe’s dream to triumph in the global motorsports showpiece came alive with the Sh209 million sponsorship that KCB Bank splashed into the championship in Nairobi on Thursday.
The 20-year-old first year Strathmore University Business IT student will enjoy part of the cookie jar with double African Rally Championship winner Karan Patel, former Motorsports Personality of the Year champion Nikhil Sachania and Mombasa based driver Evans Kavisi who are all supported by the leading financial institution.
“Sh100 million will go towards the Safari Rally logistics, Sh23 million will support the drivers while the rest Sh86 million will be used for activations, hospitality and branding.
“For sustainability purposes, we have planned to plant over 3000 trees during this year’s Safari Rally,” KCB Group CEO Paul Russo told Standard Sports during the colorful launch in Nairobi which was graced by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum and Safari Rally CEO Charles Gacheru.
The much-needed financial boost has inspired Tinashe who will comb the rough terrains of Naivasha in a Subaru Impreza GC8 road warrior that is currently being put into place by her father Mindo.
Once again, Tinashe will ply trade in the prestigious circuit alongside her mother Carolyne who will call out her pace notes.
“I’m grateful for this kind support by the bank. Driving with my mum and my father being the general manager for the car fulfills our purpose as a family. There is no other greater feeling than that,” the 20-year old stated.
“I’m also happy to join the legends like Patel, Nikhil and Kavisi at the den, we promise to give our best as we fly the Kenyan flag high in Naivasha,” Tinashe reiterated.
Asked what’s her target in this year’s Safari Rally, Tinashe highlighted: “I want to complete the grueling journey the way I did in 2023 and 2024. I want to also lift the national category which I finished tenth and seventh respectively in the last two seasons.”
Apart from getting the car ready, Tinashe also plays lots of basketball with the Strathmore University Sword team to enhance her fitness which will be very key behind the wheels.
Tinashe and Carolyne have planned to do two test drives in Stoni Athi before they descend down to Naivasha for the looming showdown.
Sport P.S Peter Tum flags off Tinashe Gatimu and Mother Carolyne during WRC Safari Rally sponsorship unveiling by KCB Bank at Kencom in Nairobi on Thursday January 30,2025. PHOTOS/ JONAH ONYANGO
While handing over the sponsorship check to the drivers, Russo said: “The WRC Safari Rally is more than just a motorsport stage. We believe in pushing boundaries, and through our support, we see the event as a platform to showcase Kenya’s potential on the global map with hope to enable local drivers to excel while supporting Kenya’s socio-economic ambitions.”
Mvurya hailed the bank’s continued support to the rally stating that it’s a kind gesture to the Government from the private sector.
“WRC Safari Rally has become a hallmark of Kenya’s global sporting economy. We commend the bank for its steadfast commitment to not only this event but also the broader development of sports in Kenya. Their support ensures that local talents continue to shine on the global stage,” Mvurya noted.
This is the fifth year that the bank is supporting the Safari Rally since the global motorsports showpiece returned to the country in 2021 after a 19 year hiatus.
The financial institution has so far spend over Sh800 million in the Safari Rally and has injected over Sh 2.3 billions in motorsports in the past two decades.
The shakedown for this year’s rally will be held on March 19 in Sleeping Warriors before the ceremonial flag off at the KICC on March 20 by President William Ruto.
After that, the cars will head to Kasarani to tackle the opening Super Special Stage. The rest of the action will then head to Naivasha in the remaining days.
Tinashe Gatimu’s selected Motorsports Achievements
2023: Completed Safari Rally and finished tenth in the KNRC category.
2023: Second place finish in the 2WD category at the Rally Cross Championships.
2024: Completed Safari Rally and finished seventh in the KNRC category.
