Myles O'Neal leads eventual winner Abdulnasir Elmi in the Cadet Class of the Kenya National Karting Championship (KNKC) at Whistling Moran on Sunday/ HANDOUT
A new generation of Kenyan motorsport stars is emerging on the karting circuit, with children as young as seven already developing the skills and competitive instincts required to progress through the sport’s ranks.
At Sunday’s second round of the Kenya National Karting Championship (KNKC), hosted by Pwani Motorsports Club at the Whistling Morans Kart Circuit, eight-year-old Abdulnassir Ahmed Elmi and seven-year-old Myles O’Neal dominated the Cadet class, finishing first and second respectively.
Elmi, a Star Sheikh Academy pupil who combines schoolwork with home tutoring in Islamic studies, topped the Cadet standings with 105 points, while O’Neal collected 89.
For Elmi, the victory added to an increasingly impressive karting journey that includes competition experience in South Africa. His father, Ahmed Elmi, said one of his biggest challenges came during his debut outing when missing a practice session left him five seconds off the pace.
He eventually reduced the deficit to three seconds, an experience his father believes taught him the importance of preparation and concentration.
O’Neal, a pupil at Pink Tower International School, is also balancing school life with a growing motorsport career. A school Sports Captain, swimmer and church usher at CITAM Valley Road, he switches his focus when he puts on his racing helmet.
His development has also included competing in the demanding buggy category of the National Autocross Championship.
At RX Round One, O’Neal crashed into a tree, damaging his driveshaft, while at AutoX Round Five his buggy lost a wheel during a race. He nevertheless managed to steer the vehicle to safety, an experience he later recalled with his mother, Susan Gekone.
The junior development programme, overseen by WRC Safari Rally Event Director Norris Ongalo, also produced competitive battles in the other karting classes.
In the Senior Rotax class, Myles Imbayi won with 105 points, ahead of Alvin Kioko on 89. The Junior Rotax category was similarly competitive, with Sean Njumbi taking the honours on 105 points, followed by Kyan Githinji on 89.
Behind the young racers are families and mentors who are investing heavily in their development, with established motorsport figures such as Dash Patel and Maxine Wahome providing guidance.
For the youngsters, karting represents the first step on a long road through the various levels of motorsport, with ambitions of eventually reaching the highest levels of international racing.
