Who Is Maxine Wahome? Rally driver in trouble with the law over Assad Khan's death

Celebrated rally driver Maxine Wahome has always been a darling of the Kenyan people; she seemed to always do everything right and elevated the country’s flag higher each time she held the steering wheel.

Her exploits in the rally scene earned her admiration nationwide and brought her sponsorship from some of the biggest names in the corporate scene.

She has smattered records throughout her life, and – even with her warm smile – always seemed like she was hungry and destined for more glory.

This week, however, things took an ugly, unexpected turn for Maxine.

She was arrested and arraigned in court for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend, fellow rally driver Asad Khan, leaving him fighting for his life in hospital.

Maxine, who has been trending on social media over the past two days, was arrested on Monday in a Kilimani apartment after Asad’s brother reported to the police that she reportedly attempted to harm him.

The court was told that when police officers visited the scene, they found blood and household goods littered on the floor and staircase.

“On further examination, one of the window pane glasses was broken as well as two-door window pane glasses were also broken,” read the court document.

The court released her on a Ksh.100,000 cash bail after spending two nights in custody, after hearing that she was fully cooperating with investigators.

But just how did Maxine Wahome get here? Simply put; Who is Maxine Wahome?

Maxine, who first got on a bike at the age of 10, started out at autocross events before joining the rallies. Her father, Jimmy Wahome, is a retired rally driver who inspired her to get into motocross.

She went on to win the inaugural Lioness All-Women’s Rally at Kasarani in March 2022. 

In June the same year, she made history as the first Kenyan female driver to win the World Rally Championship 3 (WRC-3) in her first appearance.

She has since then participated in the WRC Safari Rally in Voi, Machakos and Ramisi as well as other autocross events in Nairobi and Mombasa.

She’s also a kindergarten teacher, which means when she’s not racing, you will probably find her in a school teaching toddlers their ABCs.

“Each rally has made me grow from being last on the start list, to going up slowly. With the moral support and everyone around, the guys who helped me with the car, the mechanics, the coach and the family support is what’s got me to where I am now,” said Wahome in a February interview with Spice FM.

Not much is known about her relationship with Asad but sources intimate that they have been seeing each other for over a year now.

Wahome is currently being investigated for causing grievous harm, an offence that will likely attract a lengthy jail term if convicted.