Cheche Ababu: Kenya's next top rally driver in the making
Cheche Ababu chats with his dad, Ababu Namwamba, after winning Round 3 and the overall Kenya Rallycross (RX) Championship Cubs category on November 10, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Cheche has been in motorsport for 10 years and is also active in swimming and shooting.
- He admits that his father, Ababu Namwamba, has been a great help to his motorsport journey.
Lwecheche Ababu, or simply Cheche, is one of the brightest talents in Kenyan motorsport.
Born on August 25, 2010, in Nairobi, Cheche has already shown he is destined for great things behind the wheel after impressing in both the Kenya Rallycross (RX) Championship and the Kenya National Autocross Championship in 2024.
Cheche, who is the son of former Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba, has been in motorsport for 10 years now and is also a supporter of the Sports for Climate Action initiative. He started with karting at the age of four.
“My times were very impressive over the years. I moved to competitive motorsports from age of 12, in a buggy,” says Cheche, who is also active in swimming and shooting.
The Year 9 IGCSE student in a homeschooling program is the only person in his family doing motorsports.
“My younger brother, Terrah is a footballer and also does cricket and sprints, while my big sister, Tanya is into golf, swimming and football,” he says.
“My dad is passionate about everything sports. He played football in his youth as a striker and also when he was a Member of Parliament playing for Bunge FC. My late grandfather, Peter Lwecheche played football, as did my uncles.”
Cheche, who rallies nationally, hopes to go international soon.
“I enjoy rallying because it offers the thrill of mastering unpredictable terrain at top speed, pushing limits with skill and teamwork, and experiencing adventure in stunning landscapes. I am looking forward to my international debut next season.”
He observes that he got inspiration from watching the top World Rally Championship drivers. Cheche’s dream is to compete at the top level and for as long as he possibly can.
He admits that his father has been a great help to his motorsport journey.
“My dad has helped me with this dream by being my number one supporter. Additionally, he is the one who handles all the financial stuff and logistics. He is my support rock, and my family members the top fans and encouragement,” says Cheche, who has not encountered major challenges in his motoring journey other than mechanical issues with his buggy.
He has used three buggies since he began. Juggling sports and academics has not been tricky to Cheche.
“Handling them is pretty easy, especially with the home school arrangement. I practice on weekends before competition, which is held once or twice a month.”
Cheche is managed and trained by George Njoroge from the Kenya Racing Team. He also attributes his rise to hard work, humility, team spirit, and fair play.
Cheche Ababu (inset) competes in the sixth series of the Motorsport calendar at Meru University of Science and Technology on July 13, 2024.
“I love and live by the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, that it is more honourable to fail than to cheat. I race fair on the track and live fair off it,” says Cheche whose role model in sports is Belgian rally driver Thierry Neuville.
“I have admired his driving style and bravery since before I started rallying.”
Ahead of the WRC Safari Rally 2024, Cheche met Neuville for a safari excursion to Masai Mara and also at Hell’s Gate during the rally's grand finale.
“He is quite inspiring,” observes Cheche, a big fan of all motorsport events.
“I watch Safari Rally keenly,” adds Cheche who has been to Rally Monte Carlo in Monaco and Rally Acropolis in Greece.
“Mingling with top events is quite inspirational,” notes Cheche, who also looks up to his father. “He guides me, inspires me, encourages me, and invests in me.”
Cheche singles out winning the RX national championship as his best moment.
“Even after all the mechanical problems we encountered in rounds two and three, we were still able to emerge successful. It took incredible hard work and determination for me to win the championship.”
Climate change, he observes, affects him, as increasingly extreme weather conditions alter terrain and impact race schedules and performance.
“This is driving a shift toward sustainable practices in motorsports.”
His daily routine starts with waking up at around 7am on a school day, joining online classes for about three to four hours a day.
He takes a break to listen to some R&B music from the likes of Frank Ocean, Daniel Ceasar, and Sonder/Brent Faiyaz, and later on do his assignments and upload them before hopping into the shower.
“When freshened up, I play some video games and also do some practice on my racing simulator. I also help around with house chores. That is pretty much it,” explains Cheche.
He says eating a balanced diet is essential as it provides him with sustained energy, and supports mental sharpness, physical endurance, hydration, recovery, and immune health. “All these are crucial for peak performance,” notes Cheche.
Cheche also gets to travel and vacation with family both in Kenya and abroad.
