Tough Safari Rally for Kenyan drivers as Sheghu retires after spectator vandalism

Two-time African champion Karan Patel, navigated by Tauseef Khan in a Škoda Fabia, finished seventh in the WRC2 category with a total time of 4:26:54.7.

Compatriot Aakif Virani and co-driver Zahir Shah followed closely in eighth place in WRC2, clocking 4:43:06.7.

The performances placed the Kenyan crew 17th and 18th overall in the rally standings, respectively.

In the WRC2 battle, Estonia’s Robert Virves claimed victory on his first Safari Rally appearance with an overall time of 3:27:44.3, edging out Britain’s Gus Greensmith by 30.3 seconds.

Paraguay’s Fau Zaldívar completed the podium ahead of Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen.

Sheghu was forced out after a spectator incident.

Elsewhere, top Kenyan female rally driver Pauline Sheghu and her navigator Linet Ayuko were forced to retire from the rally after their car was vandalised by spectators around the Eburu stage on Saturday.

The pair withdrew after their windscreen and side window were smashed by children following the rally action.

“It is very painful and unfortunate that we cannot finish today’s rally because of the reckless actions of some kids who broke our windscreen and side windows,” said an emotional Sheghu.

“What was supposed to be a beautiful rally for us has ended in tears.”

Sheghu and Ayuko have been regular competitors in the Safari Rally since 2021 and have played a key role in inspiring more women to join the male-dominated motorsport discipline.