By Rebecca Gichana

Hellen Shiri and Stella Macharia are the only Kenyan women rally drivers in the four-wheel drive category. Popularly known as warembo bila make-up, they have taken part in various rallies in Kenya. Stella is the driver while Hellen is the navigator.

Hellen Shiri

Her advice to you: Rallying is fun and if you have a passion for it, go for it. It is a dangerous sport, so correct, protective gear as per required standards is needed for your safety. Don’t be afraid to ask, it is better to look like a fool than make a mistake and regret later. She answered questions from pupils of Plainsview Primary School in Nairobi.

Rachael Wanjiru, 12 years old, standard six. How did you start rallying and have you ever thought of quitting?

Hellen: I started rallying mid this year after attending navigation classes at the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy from mid 2010. I met Stella at the academy and our team manager Dave Macharia who gives lessons at the school. I rally part time and currently I am focusing on perfecting my skills.

Jackline Karimi, ten years old, standard five. What have you achieved since you started rallying?

Hellen: I am currently Stella’s rally navigator. I have gained experience doing so and so far, we’ve managed to do four rallies out of which we completed two. We finished the Guru Nanak Rally, where we achieved good timings with no penalties.

Miriam Mutinda, 12 years old, standard six. How did you come up with the name warembo bila make-up?

Hellen: Stella was already using this name when I joined her. A journalist gave it to her after she had requested to refresh her make-up after a rally. But the journalist told her, "no, vile ulivyo bila make-up wewe ni mrembo," I guess the name stuck from then and we are happy to use it.

Florence Wairimu, 12 years old, standard six. Do you fear competing with men and what inspires you?

We do not fear being the only all-ladies team in our category. There are other ladies too, in different groups. Our team manager, Super Lady Susan Muhonge from Uganda and veteran navigator, Yvonne Mehta, wife of the late rally champion Shekhar Mehta inspire me. We do not fear being in a male-dominated sport.