Kenyan driver Karan Patel and his co-driver Tauseef Khan led the 2024 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally after a dominant performance on the first day. Patel is eyeing a second consecutive FIA African Rally Championship title, currently leading the 2024 rankings. He drove his Skoda Fabia R5 through Kigali’s opening stage, finishing 28 seconds ahead of Rwandan driver Giancarlo Davite in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Ugandan driver Yassin Nasser ranks third, 49 seconds behind Patel. The 2024 edition has also attracted Rwandan female drivers, like Queen Kalimpinya, media personality Anitha Pendo and Sandrine Isheja, the deputy Director General of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency. The rally, featuring 23 drivers, continues in Bugesera with 13 laps over two days. Winners earn up to 30 points, with competitors vying for podium finishes in both African and national categories. The New Times photographers Dan Gatsinzi and Willy Mucyo covered the opening session and brought some pictures for the highlights.
