Beyond the Helmet: Untold Stories of the 2026 KCB Safari Rally Team
By Kass Digital
Before the engines ignite and dust rises over Naivasha a brief silence settles across the Great Rift Valley. For five rally crews supported by KCB the 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya represents more than a race. It is where different lives meet through one shared passion motorsport.
The KCB Rally Team features individuals from diverse backgrounds including an aircraft engineer a security entrepreneur a paraplegic champion a coffee farmer a mother daughter team an industrialist an electrical engineer and a fashion merchandiser. Despite their different professions they are united by the challenge of competing in one of the world’s toughest rallies.
The Comeback Kings
Kenyan duo Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan return to the Safari Rally determined to recover from a difficult 2025 season. Patel an aircraft engineer and two time African Rally Champion combines technical precision with speed on the rally stage.
Their campaign last year was disrupted when fesh fesh destroyed their engine during the Safari Rally and a crash at the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally ended hopes of a third consecutive ARC title. They finished the season strongly by winning the final leg in Tanzania and now look to make a strong return in 2026.
The Architect of the Impossible
Nikhil Sachania and Deep Patel represent resilience in rallying. Sachania a construction project manager is Africa’s only paraplegic rally driver. After a quad bike accident he studied hand control systems during rehabilitation and returned to motorsport.
He now drives a Ford Fiesta Rally3 adapted for hand operated controls while co driver Deep Patel an automotive executive and coffee farmer manages coordination inside the car. In 2025 Sachania became the first paraplegic driver to win a WRC category event at the Safari Rally and secured the FIA Africa Rally Championship WRC3 title.
The Family That Races Together
The Gatimu family brings a unique story to the rally. Tinashe Gatimu a third year Electrical and Electronics Engineering student at Strathmore University drives while her mother Caroline Gatimu serves as co-driver.
Motorsport has been a family commitment for more than 15 years. With a new Ford Fiesta and support from KCB Tinashe aims to finish the Safari Rally gain experience and work toward her dream of becoming Africa Rally Champion and eventually competing in the World Rally Championship.
The Industrialists
From Uganda Oscar Ntambi and Athuman Muhammad bring engineering knowledge and mechanical discipline to the rally. Ntambi runs metal fabrication and automotive businesses while Muhammad leads a mechanical crew at Aston Auto Garage.
Their partnership relies on strategy and calm decision making especially on the unpredictable Safari Rally terrain.
The Fashion Powerhouse
Rwanda’s Queen Kalimpinya and Olivier Ngabo add another inspiring journey to the rally. Kalimpinya a fashion merchandiser is Rwanda’s only female rally driver and will compete in the Safari Rally after receiving sponsorship from KCB.
Her co driver Olivier Ngabo a professional mechanic provides technical guidance during challenging stages. Kalimpinya hopes her story inspires more young people especially women to pursue their dreams.
KCB’s Rally Legacy
For the 2026 edition KCB has committed KSh 227 million including KSh 100 million for the event and KSh 28.5 million supporting five regional crews. Since 2021 the bank’s motorsport investment has reached nearly KSh 980 million.
The program also includes environmental initiatives such as planting 5000 trees and engaging students in sustainability debates.
Beyond the Helmet
As the rally begins the helmets go on and the engines roar. Behind each visor is a story shaped by resilience ambition family and passion.
For the 2026 KCB Rally Team the Safari Rally is not just about speed but about proving that determination can conquer one of motorsport’s toughest challenges.
