Kenyan Motorsport Hits Full Throttle: 2026 MEA Signals a Powerful New Era
By Shadrack Mutai | NAIROBI,
Kenyan motorsport roared into a bold new era as the 2026 Shell Motorsport Excellence Awards (MEA) delivered a spectacular, sold-out gala at Windsor Golf and Country Club, bringing together over 600 key stakeholders in a night that blended celebration with a powerful statement of intent.
Held just days after the iconic WRC Safari Rally, the black-tie affair captured the renewed momentum within the sport. Drivers, corporates, team owners, officials, and media converged in what is now widely regarded as the region’s most prestigious motorsport event.
In a dazzling showcase of excellence, more than 80 awards were presented in a polished, world-class production that set a new benchmark for sporting events in Kenya. Winners walked away with 24-carat gold-plated “Shell Apex” trophies and Bohemian crystal “Victoria Excellence” awards symbols of peak performance and enduring legacy.
Among the night’s standout winners were Neel Gohil (Autocross Open Class), Amaan Ganatra (4WD Restricted), Suleiman Munyua (2WD Turbo), Azfar Malik (RX Rallycross) and Kanyali (4×4 category). Karan Patel was crowned Motorsport Laureate, while Harpreet Bhogal earned the coveted Motorsport Personality of the Year award highlighting the sport’s depth of talent and influence.
But beyond the glamour, the evening carried a deeper message about the future of Kenyan motorsport.
In a rousing address, Carl Tundo, CEO of the Safari Rally and Interim Chairman of Motorsport Kenya, called for a decisive shift in mindset.
“There is no more time to keep discussing what is wrong,” he said. “Motorsport Kenya is made up of drivers and navigators. When you take a wrong slot, you pull the handbrake, turn the car around, and get back on the right line.”
His message was clear and symbolic of a sport ready to reset. “The handbrake has been pulled and now the car is not stopping until it reaches the finish line.”
Earlier, Interim Chairman Eric Bengi unveiled an ambitious grassroots initiative dubbed Dreamed to Drive, designed to unlock young talent from communities around the Kasarani Super Special Stage. The program will nurture 20 boys and girls through a structured pathway from sim racing to karting, autocross, and ultimately rally competition.
On the sidelines, Sushil Gohil outlined a long-term vision to establish a motorsport academy in Kenya, reinforcing efforts to build a sustainable foundation for the sport. “This is about building a real foundation. Every child has a dream and for those who want to race, we will create that opportunity,” he noted.
Corporate Kenya also signalled strong confidence in the sport’s direction, with backing from major players including Vivo Energy, Victoria Commercial Bank, and Car & General, alongside other supporting brands.
Among the distinguished guests was Ababu Namwamba, Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda, who declared that after years of uncertainty, “the die has been cast”—a powerful signal of a new beginning.
