Jonathan Moi's Widow Takes on Safari Rally
Faith Milkah ( Centre) during the all-women's rally at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, on March 27 2022.
The late Jonathan Moi, eldest son of former President Daniel Arap Moi was a revered Safari rally enthusiast.
Many Kenyans remember Jonathan popularly known as JT with nostalgia.
Nearly four years after his death, his wife Faith Milkah has plunged into racing, as a way to immortalize her late husband.
In an interview, Faith Milkah revealed that she decided to plunge into racing to make her late husband proud posthumously.
"I wanted to make my departed husband proud. I did the racing to celebrate him. It is actually Jonathan who taught me how to drive and l got the love of racing from him. I therefore decided to do it in his remembrance, “she added.
Faith Milka wife to the late Jonathan Toroitich Moi during the Lioness Safari rally in March 2022
In March 2022, she participated in the first ever all-women's rally at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani where she scooped position six, with 21.54.5 stage time.
Her navigator was Hellen Wambui.
Other participants during the event included; Maxine Wahome, Natasha Tundo, Caroline Gatimu, Lisa Christofferrsen, Pauline Sheghu, Kiana Rajput and Stella Macharia.
Asked about her experience she said;
"It was thrilling. I really enjoyed the racing alongside my navigator Hellen Wambui. It was my first time but l can say it was the best experience,” she told the Nation.
Milkah hopes to participate in more Safari rally championships in future.
"I was excited to be part of such an exciting event and despite being my first competitive race, it has opened more doors for us women to get into the male dominated sport. I encourage more women to join the racing sport “she said.
Despite his father being the President, Jonathan was not keen on politics and only ventured into it after retiring from racing.
He unsuccessfully contested for the Eldama Ravine Constituency seat in 2002 and 2007.
Jonathan, who started rallying in 1989, hit his apex in 1997 when driving a works Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD, Toroitich finished fifth in the Safari Rally and third in the Equator Rally on his way to being crowned the national champion.
Jonathan died of pancreatic cancer on April 20,2019 barely three weeks after being diagnosed with the disease that blocked an artery in his lungs.
He died aged 64.