Rally drivers Tuta Mionki and Caroline Gatimu are among nine women appointed to various Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) Sporting Commissions in a historic move.
Mionki, who recently became Kenya’s first woman to serve as FIA chairperson of stewards during the ARC Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in Jinja, will sit in the Richard Onyoni-led Rallies Commission alongside lady navigator Linet Ayuko.
They are joined by the 1994 WRC Safari Rally winner Ian Duncan and African Rally Champion Karan Patel.
KMSF General Manager Mwaura Njuguna expressed optimism that the women will bring a wealth of experience to their dockets.
“In line with the tenets of our global body, the FIA, KMSF continues to enhance opportunities for women to realise their potential at the highest levels in motorsports,” said Mwaura.
Wambui Kiiru is a member in the Keith Henrie-led Autocross Commission alongside Joan Nesbitt of the Haraka Mamas. The Karting Commission, led by Peter Macharia, has a woman member in Hasmita Bharat.
Tana Williams will continue to chair Rally Raid Commission whose members for 2024 are Harry Sagoo, Jet Anthony, five-time Safari Rally navigators’ winner Tim Jessop, Geoff Mayes and off-road legend Ross Field.
Tarmac Member Doreen Sasaka is in the mix and so is trailblazing Caroline Gatimu, who landed a Historical Car Commision/Concours d’Elegance appointment.
Gatimu and her daughter Tinashe became the first ever mother-and-daughter crew to finish the WRC Safari Rally last year, a feat they replicated in March.
The Medical Commission has a lady member Brenda Lasoi while the Safety Commission has Claire Ronoh.
Nesbitt, who previously competed in the wheel of a 2WD Toyota Tercel, will double up as a member of the Safety Commission which is being chaired by Norris Ongalo.
Ongalo is an ex-officio member of the Medical Commission.
The KMSF Appeals Board, incepted in 2021, has seven members; James Gichuru, George Mwangi, Kimanthi Maingi, Mionki, Surinder Thatthi, Frank Gitau and Raphael Nzomo.
2024 KMSF Sporting Commissions
Rally Sport Commission
1. Chairman Richard Onyoni
2. Member Ian Duncan
3. Member Karan Patel
4. Member Linet Ayuko
5. Member Shameer Yusuf
6. Member Musa Locho
7. Member Norris Ong’alo
8. Member Gurvir Bhabra
9. Member Tuta Mionki
Autocross Commission
1. Chairman Keith Henrie
2. Member Joan Nesbit
3. Member Wambui Kiiru
4. Member Felix Mururu
5. Member Shaz Ismael
Karting Commission
1. Chairman Peter Macharia
2. Member Norris Ong’alo
3. Member Jeremiah Wahome
4. Member Mindo Gatimu
5. Member Hasmita Bharat
6. Member Harry Mwangi
7. Member John Kamau
4 X 4 Commission
1. Chairman Munene Gitau
2. Member Steven Waiyaki
3. Member Humphrey Kiruki
4. Member Mandeep Singh Saimbi
5. Member Dash Patel
Rally Raid Commission
1. Chairperson Tana Williams
2. Member Harry Sagoo
3. Member Jet Anthony
4. Member Tim Jessop
5. Member Geoff Mayes
6. Member Ross Field
Tarmac Commission
1. Chairman Umang Soni
2. Member Joe Murai
3. Member Zafar Sadik
4. Member Niraj Patel
5. Member Lu Jin
6. Member Jason Wood
7. Member Doreen Sasaka
Safety Commission
1. Chairman Norris Ong’alo
2. Member Joan Nesbitt
3. Member Dash Patel
4. Member Abbas Murbe
5. Member Claire Ronoh
6. Member David Karuri
Medical Commission
1. Chairman David Karuri
2. Member Brenda Lasoi
3. Member VP Chauhan
4. Member Martin Mathenge
5. Ex-Officio Member Norris Ong’alo
Historical Car Commision / Concours D’elegance
1. Chairman Peter Wanday
2. Member Joey Ghose
3. Member Val D’Souza
4. Member Bob Dewar
5. Member Caroline Gatimu
Hillclimb/eSport Commission
1. Chairman Gurvir Bhabra
2. Member Onkar Kalsi
3. Member Sam Karangatha
4. Member Qayyum Shiraz
5. Member Umang Soni
6. Member Joe Murai
Appeals Board
1. Member James Gichuru
2. Member George Mwangi
3. Member Kimanthi Maingi
4. Member Tuta Mionki
5. Member Surinder Thatthi
6. Member Frank Gitau
7. Member Raphael Nzomo