When Sabine Rubibi was playing motorsport video games on PlayStation with her brother while growing up, little did she know what lay in store for her.
Over 15 years later, the 26-year-old from Rwanda finds herself at the heart of one of the iconic global motorsport events – the WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026 – that got underway in Naivasha, Nakuru County on Thursday.
Only that this time, she is not fiddling with a video game console.
Rubibi, who is an accountant by trade, will be managing an actual team that will tackle the harshest terrain in the 14-event World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar in neighbouring Kenya.
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WRC Safari Rally debut
She is one of the Team Managers for Rwanda Rally Team who will be debuting in the 2026 edition of the Safari Rally.
“Growing up I was just a girl, having a girl mind, nothing much about motorsport but my brother used to play the PlayStation so I would compete with him, but I didn’t know it would be something I do in my life,” Rubibi opened up to this website.
“We used to play motorsport and basketball video games. Later, I used to love driving. either a bike or a car but I didn’t know that I would dive in this much,” she said.
Her path from fantastical video games to actual involvement happened back in 2023 when she got an invite from a friend and the rest, as they say, is history.
After being part of the organizing team in 2025 for the first time, Rubibi will make her WRC Safari Rally debut this year in a Team Manager role that is just as demanding as driving on the punishing terrain of the Safari Rally.
“As the Team Manager, I need to check everything concerning the rally preparation. I have to check with the mechanics, the technicians, their personal welfare, the health condition, mentally, everything.
“I have to check each and every detail. I may not be the one doing it, but I have to follow up if everything is done, what’s missing and how are they going to be fixed,” she narrated.
Rubibi added: “I also have to go for administration checks to register the team and sort out things like accommodation. Basically, it is being involved with everything.”
Her journey in motorsports has seen her try her hand in navigating a car.
“I have tried co-piloting but decided to focus on the organization,” she revealed.
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Since crossing paths with the sport, Rubibi is grateful at how easily it is becoming for women to take up spaces and to be given opportunities in the tough motorsport environment.
“The world understands that women can also do motorsport. So they are ready to support even what you are missing. You can ask for help and they are ready to hear you.
“Also, you get support quickly as a woman. That’s something normal. But all in all, it’s not easy. But with the world we are moving in, people are starting to understand now and are supporting.”
As she prepares to lead her team in Kenya, Rubibi has already been stunned by the beauty of the course and the country at large.
“I love seeing animals in the Safari Rally. It makes it so pretty. Other rallies you go to normal roads, you have the bush, but here you meet animals, which is something that is not quite available everywhere. That’s the first thing that caught my eye.
“Kenya, is a welcoming country. People are so lovely and advanced. But the traffic, it’s too much here. The traffic is too much,” she concluded.
Team Rwanda have three cars that will be competing in the African Rally Championship Rally 2.
Rwanda Rally Team competing in ARC 2
Christian KANANGIRE/Kevin SHYAKA
Giancarlo DAVITE/Fabrice NYIRIDANDI
Jean Claude GAKWAYA/Jean Claude MUGABO