Hudson Luhayo powers his Land Cruiser at the intermediate category section during the Diesel Power Kaptagat (4 by 4), Off-Road Challenge National Championship Round One, held at Kaptagat Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County on April 05, 2026. Emmanuel Kipchirchir won the category while Luhayo was second.
Kaptagat in Elgeyo Marakwet County is more popular with athletics stars, and high altitude training camps. It hosts Global Sports Communication Athletics Camp, which is the training base for world conquering stars like two-time Olympics marathon champion and former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, multiple Olympics and world 1,500 metres champion Faith Kipyegon, world 3,000m steeplechase champion Faith Cherotich, three-time world 10,000m champion and reigning Olympics 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptei from Uganda, and two-time New York City Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor.
Locals going about their businesses at the sprawling Chirchir shopping centre where Global Sports Communication Training Camp is located normally brush shoulders with Kipchoge, Kipyegon, Cherotich and Cheptegei as the athletes crisscross the running trails during morning runs. But on Saturday, and Sunday (April 4 and 5, 2026), the locals woke up to sound of a different kind. Sounds of quad bikes and off-road cars of all shapes and sizes rented the air, as teams competed in Kaptagat 4x4 Off-Road Challenge organised by Kenya Motorsports Sports Federation 4x4 Off-Road Challenge. The body is affiliated to Kenya Motorsports Federation.
Felix Kili powers his quad bike at the Expert category section, at the Diesel Power Kaptagat (4 by 4), Off-Road Challenge National Championships Round One, held at Kaptagat Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County on April 05, 2026. He won in the quad bike category being a sole entrant.
At the end,14-year-old Munene Gitau stunned a field teeming with seasoned competitors to win in two categories - expert category and super expert category. In a sport dominated by veterans boasting years of technical skill and endurance, the teenager’s fearless approach and remarkable control behind the wheels endeared him to the more than 2,000 fans who turned up to watch.
Gitau displayed bravery while tackling the tough course emerging a winner in the expert category scoring 920 points.
The races attracted 20 competitors in four categories - beginners, intermediate, expert, and super expert. It was a sight to behold as 20 competitors did battle on their machines through barriers, steep inclines, and mud pools on a course measuring 150m on Saturday and Sunday.
Environmental conservation
Kenya Motorsports Sports Federation 4x4 Off-Road Challenge used the competition to raise awareness on environmental conservation, emphasising the need to safeguard Kaptagat Forest from degradation, illegal logging, and encroachment.
Kaptagat Forest is a key water catchment area for Eldoret City and surrounding areas, and is a vital component of the ecosystem that supports both the local community and the athletes who rely on its clean air and tranquil environment for training. For long, Kaptagat has been a haven for elite athletes seeking to sharpen their running skills ahead of major global competitions due to its high altitude location, and serene environment.
Gitau won the expert category on 920 points, followed by the only woman in the challenge, Yvonne Kufwafwa, with1,290 points. Andrew Kahora was third with 7250 points.
Gitau also won in the expert category with 2,750 points ahead of Amin Ali who scored 4,600 points, and third-placed Hudson Khasian on 4800 points.
Gitau started competing in motorsports at the age of six. At the age of eight, he was already a national champion.
“I was competing in a Land Rover Defender 110 series, and it was quite tricky because I was doing two challenging stages. I’m glad that everything went well, but it was fun competing against older and more experienced drivers. I look forward to the next one,” Gitau said.
Gitau Munene third (right), 14 years old, who drive a Land Rover, and won the Super Expert category at the Diesel Power Kaptagat (4 by 4), Off-Road Challenge National Championships Round One. Amin Mohammed second (left), who drives a Range Rover, emerged second, Hudson Khasiani second (right), who also competed in a Range Rover, finished third, together with their co-drivers, display their awards..
“In future, plan to start an academy to nurture talent among youth, and to teach them to follow their dreams. I want to pass on skills to help them navigate through challenges that I went through to make them experts in future.”
His father Wilson Gitau, who is chairman Kenya Motorsports Sports Federation 4x4 Off-Road Challenge, said his son has stood out since he was eight.
“Gitau used to watch me compete and became interested in learning about the sport since when he was eight. He would use a baby seat to drive. Now he is handling the course very well,” Wilson said.
Championship director Andrew Keitany urged young drivers to compete in future editions of the challenge.
“I commend the fans because they stuck to the rules. The drivers also followed instructions on the course, which made the event successful. The next edition will be bigger and better,” he said.
The championship was sponsored by Diesel Power. Collins Kibet from Diesel Power said the challenge has been a big driver of environmental conservation and tree planting at Kaptagat Forest.
