Motorsports Kenya petitions Sports Disputes Tribunal seeking recognition

Motorsports Kenya (MK) has filed a suit with the Sports Disputes Tribunal seeking to have Sports Registrar Rose Wasike compelled to register it.

MK is the new body supposed to govern the sport in Kenya after replacing the Kenya Motorsports Federation Limited (KMSFL), which has for long been riddled with myriad woes, including being locked out of its offices for failing to pay rent making it unable to access its files, failure to pay for electricity leading to disconnection by Kenya Power and failure to comply with the Sports Act, Wasike declined.

Instead, she convened a mediation meeting between MK and KMFL and asked them to submit written submissions.

With the troubles at KMSFL, Kenya Motorsports Federation (KMSF), which is its sporting arm, continues to claim legitimacy.

In recent proceedings, KMSF representative Jim K questioned the credibility of affidavits supporting MK, denied knowledge of individuals previously involved with KMSFL, and attempted to have withdrawals by prominent figures like Bimal Patel and Joey Ghose removed from the case.

Jim further asserted that no commissions resigned in 2024 and insisted that KMSFL had successfully run motorsport events — including two autocross competitions, one raid, and had provided logistical support for the WRC Safari Rally. He also stated that KMSFL had delivered officials and National Competition Rules (NCRs) to support the event.

However, independent verification contradicts these claims. Evidence presented indicates that KMSFL has not organized any motorsport events whatsoever. Moreover, the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) round run under the WRC umbrella was only held following a court order — not under the legitimate authority of KMSFL. These findings have further undermined the federation’s standing, amid ongoing infighting, leadership disputes, and a lack of transparency.

Jim was also unable to clearly articulate what distinguishes KMSF from MK or why it would be better suited to lead motorsports in Kenya — a point that did not go unnoticed during tribunal discussions.

In contrast, support for MK has gained overwhelming momentum. At the recently held Motorsports Excellence Awards (MEA), over 95 per cent of drivers, clubs, and stakeholders voiced support for MK. The event underscored a growing consensus in the motorsport community for a fresh, transparent, and legally compliant governing body.

“The sport has outgrown the politics,” said one top-level driver at the MEA. “We need structure, we need support, and above all, we need a federation that complies with the law.”

The ongoing tussles and Wasike’s failure to recognise MK have left the motorsports in the country in limbo.