KenGen MD and CEO Peter Njenga with rally driver Andrew Muiruri/ TEDDY MULEI

The KenGen-backed WRC Safari Rally trio of Andrew Muiruri, Ishmael Azeli and Rwanda’s Queen Kalimpinya are keen to leave lasting tyre marks when action goes down in Naivasha from March 12-15.

The trio have received significant backing from KenGen to fine-tune their assault on one of the toughest rallies on the WRC calendar.

Rwandan Queen Kalimpinya has received Sh1 million towards her preparations, Azeli got Sh600,000 and Muiruri has Sh500,000 to intensify their preparations.

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KenGen also renewed its partnership with Radio Africa Group to amplify its sustainability message throughout the rally period.

‎“Through Radio Africa Group, we are scaling nationwide and regional visibility, ensuring KenGen’s sustainability narrative reaches millions of households," said KenGen MD and CEO Peter Njenga.

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‎Radio Africa Group CEO Martin Khafafa underscored the importance of the partnership in elevating the rally’s footprint.

‎“We partnered last year with KenGen and we just want to strengthen that partnership this year and amplify it across all our media platforms in print and digital,” Khafafa said.

‎Meanwhile, Muiruri, alongside his co-driver Edward Njoroge, will strap into a Subaru WRX STi N12 with the team zeroing in on mechanical fine-tuning to ensure the car is dialled in before flag-off.

‎“Our preparations are still ongoing, but there are a couple of things we can still improve in our vehicle. I am sure we will be more than prepared between now and race day,” said Muiruri.

‎Last year, the duo steered their way to fifth in the national category, a result the driver is determined to better this time round.

‎“We are aiming for anything better than number five. Of course, winning is always the target,” he said.

‎He was quick to credit the chemistry in the cockpit, lauding his navigator’s experience and calmness under pressure.

‎“Njoroge has been a very instrumental figure in my success in rallying. He is a seasoned navigator and has been navigating since 2011.”

‎Muiruri described KenGen’s sponsorship as a lifeline in a sport where budgets often dictate competitiveness.

‎“This is the only sponsor I have so far. If it were not for KenGen, I would not be doing this rally," hesaid.

‎Meanwhile, Azeli will pilot a Subaru Impreza WRX GVB, a significant upgrade from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 he campaigned at last year’s Safari. The switch signals intent as he prepares to tackle the fiercely competitive WRC2 category.

‎“The Subaru is a very powerful and nice machine and a significant upgrade from last year,” Azeli noted.

‎For Azeli, survival will be just as crucial as speed on the unforgiving Naivasha stages.

‎“My expectations and targets are to finish the race with the car in good condition. I know it’s going to be a nice Rally but tough,” he said.

‎He is banking on a crucial shakedown session in Athi River before the rally roars into life.

‎“We will do a test run this coming week in Athi River and we hope everything goes well,” he added.

KenGen MD and CEO Peter Njenga hands a dummy cheque to rally driver Queen Kalimpinya (L) and co-driver Oliver Ngabo (second right) as KenGen's chief legal officer Beatrice Chebelyon (second left) looks on/ TEDDY MULEI

‎Across the border, reigning Rwanda champion Kalimpinya is eyeing the Safari as a springboard to continental ambitions in the African Rally Championship (ARC).

‎“This is our first time to race outside Rwanda. But I have been racing for three years now and won the Rwanda championship last year,” she said.

‎“After winning the national title last year, I decided to challenge myself and go for the ARC, so we will be using the Safari Rally to prepare for the ARC.”

‎Beyond the drivers, KenGen has injected Sh3 million into this year’s Safari to bolster the global showpiece.

‎“To us at KenGen, the WRC Safari Rally is more than a race, it is a playground where we showcase Kenya’s innovation, resilience and extraordinary natural beauty,” said KenGen MD and CEO Peter Ngenga.

‎“Today we have deepened our commitment to this iconic event by partnering across the entire value chain, from drivers to world-class hospitality and media.”