Kenyan rally stars Karan Patel and navigator Tauseef Khan delivered a standout performance for the KCB Rally Team at the 2026 Safari Rally Kenya, emerging as the top local crew amid the World Rally Championship’s brutal Naivasha showdown.
Breaking the Curse
Shattering a four-year retirement curse, Patel powered through the rally’s savage gravel, rocks, and dust traps to finish 17th overall in WRC standings—their first completion since 2021. They also snatched the African Rally Championship (ARC) category win, vaulting to an early lead in the 2026 continental chase.
Pride and Ambition
“It’s been four years of setbacks, but finishing strong with the ARC title feels incredible,” beamed Patel post-podium.
The two-time champion, stung by losing 2025’s crown to Uganda’s Yasin Nasser, now eyes full redemption across upcoming ARC rounds, fueling Kenyan rally hopes after global names like Katsuta dominated the top.
