Kenyan rally driver Michuki Hinga celebrated his 21st birthday in style this month with a dream debut on the continental stage, winning the Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) category and finishing second overall in the National Rally Championship (NRC) category at the 2026 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally.
Speaking after the race on Sunday, Hinga admitted he had not expected such an impressive result on his rally debut.
"It’s unbelievable. This was my very first rally, and to come away with a class win and P2 overall is a dream," Hinga said.
"The team gave me a great car, John did a perfect job on the notes, and we just focused on finishing clean. Turning 21 this month and getting this result in Rwanda means everything," he added.
Driving a Toyota RunX alongside co-driver John Ngugi, Hinga made his first-ever rally appearance count with a remarkable performance at the FIA African Rally Championship event held from July 10 to 12 in the hills of Rwanda.
Facing more experienced competitors in four-wheel-drive cars on the challenging mountain terrain, the Nairobi-based driver remained calm, consistent and quick throughout the event. By the end of Leg 2, Hinga had not only topped the NRC 2WD class but had also climbed to second overall in the National Rally Championship standings.
He completed the rally in a total time of 2:33:32.7, finishing 20 minutes and 46.1 seconds behind overall winner Christian Kanangire of Rwanda, who drove a Subaru Impreza 4WD. Hinga also finished 4 minutes and 52 seconds ahead of Uganda's Faizal Kayira, who placed third.
Even more impressively, Hinga dominated the 2WD category, finishing 47 minutes and 5.9 seconds ahead of Uganda's Odeon Niwagaba in a Toyota Altezza, while fellow Ugandan Ibrahim Lubega completed the podium in a Toyota Corolla.
The Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, a round of the FIA African Rally Championship, is renowned for its demanding gravel stages and high-altitude terrain, making Hinga's debut performance even more remarkable.
For the son of veteran rally driver Charles Hinga, the result marks the perfect start to what he hopes will be a long and successful career in motorsport.
Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 2026 – Provisional Results (July 10–12)
NRC Overall – Top 3
1. Christian Kanangire (Rwanda) / Kevi Mujiji (Rwanda) – Subaru Impreza – 2:12:46.6
2. Michuki Hinga (Kenya) / John Ngugi (Kenya) – Toyota RunX – 2:33:32.7
3. Faizal Kayira (Uganda) / Ivan Sserunkuma (Uganda) – Subaru Impreza – 2:38:24.7
NRC 2WD Class Results
1. Michuki Hinga (Kenya) / John Ngugi (Kenya) – Toyota RunX – 2:33:32.7
2. Odeon Niwagaba (Uganda) / Husse Mukuye (Uganda) – Toyota Altezza – 3:20:38.6
3. Ibrahim Lubega (Uganda) / Must Kanakulya (Uganda) – Toyota Corolla – 4:29:00.1