In a historic mover, the Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) has appointed nine women to server in its sporting commissions in 2024.
Tuta 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.
The Rallies Commission also has the 1994 WRC Safari Rally winner Ian Duncan and reigning African Rally Champion Karan Patel.
KMSF General Manager Mwaura Njuguna expressed optimism that the new women commissioners will bring a wealth of experience to their appointments.
“In line with the tenets of our global body, FIA; KMSF continues to enhance opportunities for women to realize their potential at the highest levels of the motor sport sector.,” said Mwaura
Wambui Kiiru has been named as a member of the Keith Henrie-led Autocross Commission alongside Joan Nesbitt of the Haraka Mamas.
The Karting Commission led by Peter Macharia also has a lady member in Hasmita Bharat.
Tana Williams will continue to chair Rally Raid Commission whose members for 2024 are Harry Sagoo, Jet Anthony, five ti e Safari Rally navigators winner Tim Jessop, Geoff Mayes and off road legend Ross Field.
Tarmac Member Doreen Sasaka is also in the ladies mix and so is trailblazing Caroline Gatimu who landed the 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 2024..
The Medical commission has a lady member in Dr. Brenda Lasoi whilst the Safety commission has Claire Ronoh.
Nesbitt, who previously competed at the wheel of a 2WD Toyota Tercel, will also double up as a member of the safety Commission which is being chaired by Norris Ongalo.
Ongalo has also been appointed the ex-officio member of the Medical Commission.
The KMSF Appeals Board incepted in 2021 has seven members b=namely James Gichuru, George Mwangi, Kimanthi Maingi, Tuta Mionki, Surinder Thatthi, Frank Gitau and Raphael Nzomo
The 2024 KMSF Sporting commissions are as follows
RALLY SPORT COMMISION
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 COMMISION
1 Chairman Keith Henrie
2 Member Joan Nesbit
3 Member Wambui Kiiru
4 Member Felix Mururu
5 Member Shaz Ismael
KARTING COMMISION
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 COMMISION
1 Chairman Munene Gitau
2 Member Steven Waiyaki
3 Member Humphrey Kiruki
4 Member Mandeep Singh Saimbi
5 Member Dash Patel
RALLY RAID COMMISION
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 COMMISION
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 Dr. David Karuri
MEDICAL COMMISION
1 Chairman Dr. David Karuri
2 Member Dr. Brenda Lasoi
3 Member Dr. 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 COMMISION
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