At the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, the spotlight is on a groundbreaking all-female panel of stewards. This event, the third round of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship, highlights the FIA’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Impressively, women now hold 31% of senior roles in the organizing team, a remarkable increase from just 6% in 2024.
This event takes a leaf from 2016’s RallyRACC Rally de España, where history was made with an all-women stewarding panel at a WRC event—the first-ever instance in FIA World Championships. Nearly a decade on, the Safari Rally Kenya continues to celebrate gender diversity with a team of seasoned female officials leading the charge.
Leading the panel is Tanja Geilhausen from Germany. With a rich background stretching from her early days as a rally co-driver, Tanja moved into a project management role at ADAC, a top-tier German automobile association. She has played pivotal roles in events like the WRC Rallye Deutschland and the WRC Central European Rally. Tanja’s extensive experience includes serving as a Steward since 2022, recently chairing the Panel of Stewards at the 2025 Rallye Monte-Carlo and acting as an International Steward at the 2025 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Next, we have Alice Scutellà from Italy acting as an FIA Steward. With a solid footing in rally officiating that began as a marshal, Alice has amassed vast experience, serving at numerous WRC Rally Italia Sardegna events. Her career as a steward took off in 2020, leading her to notable positions at the WRC Central European Rally in 2024 and beyond. Her diverse experience spans across FIA Formula 3 and Formula E, and she currently holds the position of permanent steward for the Lamborghini Championship in circuit racing, showcasing her broad expertise.
Kenya’s own Tuta Mionki steps in as ASN Steward. A pioneering figure in the nation’s motorsport scene, Tuta made history as Kenya’s first female rally co-driver in the Motorsport Premier Class. Since 2012, she has been a formidable competitor in both national and international arenas. Navigating for Eric Bengi in the Kenya National Rally Championship, Tuta’s accomplishments have earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Best Co-Driver of the Season awards and the prestigious title of Kenya Motor Sports Personality of the Year in 2018.
Also integral to the team is Yvonne Gilli from Italy. As Secretary to the Stewards, Yvonne brings a wealth of experience, marking her 368th WRC event attendance. Her vast knowledge and keen organizational skills are key in delivering smooth-running world rally events globally.
Contributing to the event’s success are Maureen Wahu and Ida Tallam from Kenya, who are supporting as Assistant Secretaries to the Stewards. Their involvement not only underscores the increasing presence of Kenyan women in motorsport officiating but also perfectly exemplifies the event’s dedication to efficient management. Ida, following in Tuta’s legacy from 2023, joins the FIA High Performance Programme, tailored to cultivate future top-level motorsport officials.
Overall, the Safari Rally Kenya’s all-female stewarding team is a powerful testament to the strides being made toward greater gender diversity in motorsport, aligning seamlessly with the FIA’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity across the field.
