Rally Navigator and Veteran Journalist Abdul Sidi Dies

Kenyan motorsport and sports journalism are mourning the death of veteran rally navigator, journalist and motorsport administrator Abdul Sidi.

The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) announced Sidi’s death in a condolence message dated September 10, describing him as a “true legend” whose career left a lasting mark on Kenyan motorsport and sports journalism.

SJAK President James Waindi said Sidi was not only a rally icon but also a journalist, mentor and father figure to generations of sports journalists.

“Veteran Kenyan motorsports journalist, rally navigator and founder of the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy, Abdul Sidi, has died.”

From the Newsroom to the Safari Rally: How Sidi Found Himself in Rallying

Sidi spent more than three decades covering rallying as the Rally Reporter for the Daily Nation, where he mentored numerous journalists who later established careers in sports journalism.

The SJAK president described Sidi’s newsroom as a place of learning, noting that his passion for motorsport influenced many of the journalists he worked with.

Despite being in his 70s, the rally navigator remained enthusiastic about rallying and continued to follow the sport as it underwent significant technological changes.

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His career also saw him serve as a National Press Officer and Event Director of the iconic Safari Rally, where SJAK said he promoted professionalism while creating opportunities for young journalists.

Apart from journalism, Sidi had built a reputation as an accomplished rally navigator.

He called pace notes for some of Kenya’s renowned drivers, including Patrick Njiru, Phineas Kimathi and Sammy Aslam.

“He understood the sport completely from both sides as a fierce competitor and as a master storyteller,” said Waindi.

The veteran journalist began active rallying at the age of 35 and went on to participate in 18 Safari Rallies, finishing 15 of them.

He also won group and Formula 2 divisions during the WRC Safari Rally and became a familiar name in Kenyan rallying during the 1980s and 1990s.

Waindi said Sidi understood the sport from both the competitive and storytelling sides, having experienced rallying both as a navigator and a journalist.

Founding the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy

Sidi’s contribution to motorsport extended to nurturing the next generation of talent through his organization, the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy (ASRA).

The academy offered training to aspiring drivers and motorsport officials, with Sidi providing mentorship and coaching to young people seeking to enter the sport.

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Among those associated with his mentorship were 2WD champion Dennis “Dere” Mwenda and WRC Safari Rally official Hellen “Headgal” Shiri, alongside other competitors who entered the sport around 2012.

Meanwhile, his contribution to motorsport was part of a wider family tradition as he was the elder brother of veteran motorsport photographer Anwar Sidi, whose career in documenting Kenyan motorsport has spanned more than four decades.

Following his death, SJAK conveyed its condolences to Sidi’s family, friends, the Kenya Motor Sports Federation and the wider rally fraternity.

“Kenyan Motorsport has lost a library. Journalism has lost a pillar. May your soul rest in peace,” said Waindi.

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A photo showing Abdul Sidi during a past rally event . Photo/ Abdul Sidi