Mionki, Gatimu in the mix as KMSF name nine women in this year’s commissions

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