By GPC Sports Reporter
Legendary rally navigator and journalist Abdul Sidi was laid to rest at Langata Muslim Cemetery on Thursday, bringing to an end a four-decade career in Kenyan motorsport.
Sidi, who worked both as a co-driver and motorsport journalist, was remembered by family, friends and colleagues as a mentor, teacher and link between generations of rallying.
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His journalism career began in 1985 when he wrote his first article for the Daily Nation. He continued covering motorsport until 2025, when ill health forced him to slow down.
He became one of Kenya’s longest-serving motorsport journalists, working alongside veteran writers including Gavin Bennett, Larry Ngala, John Nene and Aileen Kimutai.
As a navigator, Sidi competed alongside some of the country’s leading rally drivers during a 25-year active competition career that included 18 appearances in the WRC Safari Rally.
Among his notable achievements were winning the Group N FIA WRC Safari Rally title with Patrick Njiru in 1984 in a Subaru Impreza and the FIA F2 WRC Safari Rally crown with Phineas Kimathi in a Hyundai Coupe in 1999.
Njiru and Kimathi were among those who attended his burial, alongside rally driver Hamza Anwar, Safari Rally Clerk of the Course George Mwangi and rallying legend Azar Anwar.
Tributes to Sidi came from the international and Kenyan motorsport communities.
A great loss
In a condolence message, FIA Vice-President for Sport – Africa Rodrigo Rocha described Sidi as a distinguished figure in Kenyan and African motorsport.
“Beyond his achievements on the stages, Abdul understood the importance of sharing knowledge and developing the next generation,” Rocha said.
He said Sidi used journalism, mentorship and the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy to help young aspiring drivers and navigators enter motorsport.
“For many of us, Abdul represented the very best qualities of a navigator — knowledge, precision, courage, loyalty and humility,” Rocha said.
He described Sidi’s death as a loss to his family, friends and the wider motorsport community in Kenya, Africa and beyond.
Part of our memory
Motorsports Kenya Federation President Altaf Ganatra, in a condolence message dated September 11, 2026, said Sidi’s life and contribution had become inseparable from Kenyan motorsport.
“Kenyan motorsport has lost one of its true sons, a man whose life, passion and contribution became inseparable from the sport he loved,” Ganatra said.
He described Sidi as a navigator who competed alongside some of the finest rally drivers in Kenya and abroad, while also becoming one of the sport’s leading storytellers as a journalist.
Ganatra said Sidi’s mentorship was among his most significant contributions to motorsport.
“He gave his knowledge generously. He guided, encouraged and inspired generations of competitors, navigators, officials and enthusiasts,” he said.
“Kenyan motorsport has lost part of its institutional memory, a bridge between generations and a gentleman whose contribution to our sport will endure long after the engines fall silent.”
The federation concluded its tribute with the words: “Farewell, Abdul. Your journey with us may have ended, but your name and contribution will forever remain part of the story of Kenyan motorsport. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.”
Sidi is survived by his younger brothers Asgar Sidi and Anwar Sidi, both prominent figures in Kenyan motorsport media.
