Mother-daughter duo team enters history books after stellar show at Safari Rally

20-year-old rally star Tinashe Gatimu and her mother Caroline Gatimu have etched their names in the annals of motorsports history following their stellar performance at the concluded 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

As the only mother-daughter duo team in the WRC Calendar, they managed to finish the grueling Safari Rally event for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025), a testament to their dedication to compete against the top drivers in the highly male dominated sport.

Tinashe’s journey into rally driving began under the tutelage of her father, Gatimu Mindo, for whom she worked as a mechanic. This hands-on experience ignited her passion for motorsport, leading her to compete in the Safari Rally.

In 2023, she made her debut with her mother as navigator, finishing 10th overall in the Kenya National Rally Championships category. The following year, they improved their standing to seventh place.

Her co-driver Caroline brings a wealth of experience to the cockpit. Beyond her role as a navigator, she is a seasoned rally driver and a professional with over 13 years of experience in social and policy-oriented research. Her dual expertise in motorsport and consultancy has been instrumental in guiding Tinashe through the complexities of rally racing.

Speaking after the four-day event in Naivasha, Tinashe said: “It is such an honour to compete against the best drivers from across the globe. Our dedication to this sport has never been in doubt, that is why we always strive to finish any race we participate in. This year, the rally was unforgiving following the introduction of two new stages, Camp Moran and Mzabibu also the unpredictable weather made it even more tough. I am grateful to our fans and everyone who supported us during the event.”

The Gatimu duo’s participation in the 2025 WRC Safari Rally marked their third consecutive year competing together. Driving a Subaru Impreza GC8, they have become symbols of gender empowerment. Their story has garnered significant attention, inspiring young women across Kenya and beyond to pursue their dreams, irrespective of societal norms.

“We want to inspire millions of young girls that it is possible to pursue your dreams and harness your full potential irrespective of where you come from or what you do. This is the only way to realize your dreams when you go out there and work for it. A big thank you to our sponsors for believing in us, especially KCB who came through in a massive way,” said Caroline.

Adding to their growing list of milestones, the pair were part of the KCB Racing Team, becoming the first all-female outfit to be signed by the motorsport powerhouse. They rubbed shoulders with some of Kenya’s top rally drivers, including Nikhil Sachania, Karan Patel, and Evans Kavisi.

The Safari Rally saw television broadcasts spanning over 50 countries and reached more than 100 million viewers, Kenya further cemented its status as a top motorsports’ destination. The international audience saw remarkable growth over the past year, increasing from 80 million to 100 million, underscoring its rising global appeal.

Over 30,000 spectators representing both domestic Kenyans, regional and international visitors filled various spectator spots to watch the rally as Toyota Gazoo Racing Team secured a win with Elfyn Evans accompanied by co-driver Scott Martin securing the first position ahead of Hyundai’s Thiery Neuville and Ott Tanak who finished second and third respectively.