Dennis Mwenda also known as Dere Mwenda in the Safari Rally world, now the navigator behind Issa Amwari's Safari Rally finish at the concluded WRC in Naivasha, has ruled out returning to the driver's seat anytime soon.
Mwenda, who has been navigating for 11 years, after a 5-year stint in the driver's seat, on Monday while in Nairobi, said that he is enjoying his current role and is focused on helping his driver Issa Amwari achieve success.
"The Safari Rally has always been a challenging event regardless of how many times you do it and all I have wanted to do is make sure that at the end of the four gruelling days we get to Hell's Gate finish," the former Kenya Two Wheel Drive champion said, revealing that his team is now currently driving an 18-year-old car which he believes will give them a competitive edge.
"We are currently driving an 18 year old car, which is now too slow for our pace, but it comes with new technology and is more powerful with amazing torque and very nimble allowing easier maneuverability around corners and obstacles," he said.
Mwenda has also credited the team's approach to the world-famous rally, saying they treated it like a marathon and paced themselves to reach the finish line, sharing his experience of competing in the wet rally, saying it was exciting despite some mechanical issues.
"A wet Rally is always challenging. Having grown up in Meru where it rains almost all year round, we are used to driving in muddy conditions. So this Rally was quite exciting for us," he said.
The former driver, now navigator is now encouraging young navigators to join the sport, saying there are sponsors willing to nurture talent adding that his team will participate in local rallies to get used to the new car and make their mark in the sport.