Kenyan rally driver Nikhil Sachania has officially been crowned the 2025 FIA Africa Rally Championship 3 category winner.
Nikhil, who is Africa’s only paraplegic rally driver alongside his trusted navigator, Deep Patel, accepted the honours in a ceremony held at Talanta Plaza, Upper Hill, Nairobi, that celebrated a milestone for inclusive sports in Africa.
The duo, sponsored by KCB Group, was formally awarded by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Salim Mvurya, who hailed the victory as a moment of national pride.
What makes Nikhil’s title particularly remarkable is the deficit he overcame. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the team was forced to sit out the Burundi and Tanzania legs of the circuit. However, their early-season dominance proved to be an untouchable “points bank.”
“Nikhil’s victory goes far beyond motorsport. It speaks to the power of belief, preparation, and inclusion. As KCB, we are immensely proud to stand behind an athlete who continues to redefine what is possible and inspire a new generation across Africa,” said KCB Group Director Marketing and Communications Rosalind Gichuru.
By securing massive leads during the WRC Safari Rally Kenya, the Uganda Leg, and the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, Nikhil ensured that, despite missing two races, his name remained at the top of the leaderboard.
“Winning the WRC3 title is a dream realized but doing it while missing the Burundi and Tanzania legs makes it even more special. We knew we had to be perfect in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda to build that lead. We pushed the car to its absolute limit in the WRC Safari Rally, and that foundation is what carried us through,” said Nikhil.
While 2025 was a year for history books, the KCB crew is already looking toward a more ambitious 2026. Unlike last season’s fragmented schedule, the team is committing to a full-throttle assault on the entire calendar, starting with the 2026 WRC Safari Rally
“This year, we are not leaving anything to chance. We plan to participate in every single leg, starting right here with the Safari Rally,” Deep Patel noted during the ceremony. “Our eyes are no longer just on the WRC3; we are aiming for the overall ARC (African Rally Championship) title. We have the machine, we have the chemistry, and now we have the experience to go for the big one.”
