With one week remaining and preparations for this year’s WRC Safari Rally gathering steam, a section of Kenyan drivers have come out to express their frustrations over a lack of sponsorship.

The trailblazing Pauline Sheghu, a seasoned communication specialist navigated by Linet Ayuko, is the only woman listed for the main event of the 2025 Safari Rally.

She was over the moon with excitement and enthusiasm, but a lack of support is now threatening her participation in this year’s magical and signature global sporting event for Kenya.

“I have been competing in motorsport since 2006 in different categories until the 2023-2024 season when I attained qualification to participate in the World Rally Championship level, and to me, this is about representing my country, Kenya. In this seemingly male-dominated field, the other ladies and I have worked hard all through, racing to the finish line. In the last two seasons, things have been fine.

“I do not know what will happen this season for sure because I have not received adequate sponsorship to help me meet the set standards for competing in the main event, as listed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA). We have gone through countless challenges this year, and this is frustrating, especially for female drivers,” a dejected Sheghu told People Sport.

Last year, a team of five Kenyan ladies lined up for the highly demanding Safari Rally in Naivasha, Nakuru County, spicing up the spectacular car race that returned to the WRC calendar in 2021.

The all-ladies crews under the Talanta Hela banner included Pauline Sheghu/Linet Ayuko, Tash Tundo/Chantal Young, Caroline Gatimu/Tinashe Gatimu, Jennifer Malik/Wangui Koi, and Lisa Christoffersen/Michelle Chao.

“My humble rallying call to corporates is for them to come through for us. We only have one week, and we are supposed to be at the Service Park in Naivasha from Sunday. We are also required to prepare for the presidential flag-off at the KICC.

“However, we are not ready. Our cars are still at the garage with no sponsorship branding at all. I am grateful to all those who have shown interest in supporting us thus far, although it is not enough at this time to meet the recommended standards. I am unsure about my participation since I do not know if I will get everything in order on time,” Sheghu added.

The former broadcaster will be using a left-hand-drive Mitsubishi Evo machine should she make it to the starting area.

Youngster Hamza Anwar, 26, who ran a full season in the Junior WRC in 2023 after clinching the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) Junior title, is also in dire need of corporate or government sponsorship ahead of the rally.

“It’s just one week to the rally, and unfortunately, I have not received any feedback regarding sponsorship or promotion to help young Kenyan drivers, who are actually putting their own initiatives at great financial risk just to make things happen. I am trying to be as positive as I can be, but things are looking quite bad—I might not make it to the start of the rally. I am calling on all potential sponsors: we are representing our country and the continent, so please don’t let us down,” Anwar remarked.