Kenyan rally driver Edward Maina during a past rally.
With 60 rallies to his name over the last 25 years, Edward Maina is a true embodiment of resilience in Kenyan motorsport.
As he gears up for the 2025 WRC Safari Rally set for March 20 to 23, in Nairobi and Naivasha, he stands not just as a competitor, but as a symbol of pure passion and determination—racing for his own ambition while drawing an ever-growing legion of fans.
Maina is among the last of a rare breed—privateers who have kept Kenyan rallying alive for decades despite lacking mega-budgets.
For these drivers, securing even a small trophy is a victory worth celebrating.
A water engineer by profession, Maina manages EMKA Engineers Boreholes Contractor, yet his heart belongs to rallying.
He represents the Harambee spirit, proving that without drivers like him, motorsport in Kenya would not thrive.
Social media sensation
His peers—such as the Chana brothers, Steve Mwangi, John Nganga, Josiah Kariuki, George Njoroge, the Gatimus, and Hussein Halik—form the backbone of the sport.
They not only compete but also own garages, offering top-notch mechanical services, yet they remain some of the least appreciated figures in rallying.
Maina became a social media sensation after his dramatic crash in the 2024 WRC Safari Rally.
Competing in a Subaru Impreza N12 with navigator Anthony Gichohi, he rolled his car just a few kilometers into the second loop of the 29.32km Soysambu Special Stage.
Thousands of spectators watched as fans lifted the car like a piece of paper, but the damage was too extensive, forcing them to retire while holding ninth place in the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) category.
“It was good to see the response of the spectators, medical and technical intervention teams. The Chief Marshal also scrambled promptly. Several police officers added crowd control muscle,” Maina recalled.
Despite the crash, he and Gichohi returned triumphantly, welcomed by the loudest cheers of the 2024 WRC Safari Rally on March 30.
Career-best
“I have a long history in rallying, and here are some insights—some dramatic, some memorable. In all, I have enjoyed my 27 years of rallying,” said Maina.
His journey began in the late 1990s with a Datsun 1600 SSS. He entered two rallies but failed to finish either, with one ending in a serious crash at Lukenya that left his car a write-off.
In 2000, he acquired a Group N Toyota Celica ST165 from veteran rally driver Jim Kahumbura. After rebuilding it, he enjoyed competing against better-modified Group S cars.
He later upgraded to a Subaru N12, achieving a career-best 12th place in the 2012 Kenya National Championship. The car, though well-worn, remains his trusted workhorse.
“I have been funding my participation, which has never been easy. We do eight events per year, and you can imagine the struggle to make each one happen.
However, due to my passion for the sport, I have never missed an event because of a lack of funds. Now, I’m preparing for the 2025 WRC Safari Rally,” Maina said.
