Vivo Energy Kenya has selected Kenyan automotive content creator George King’ara as the country’s Shell V-Power influencer and representative at the Shell V-Power Games in Budapest, Hungary, according to a company press release dated July 22, 2026.

The company said the global event will bring together more than 60 creators who will take part in “physical, mental, team and driving challenges.” Vivo Energy Kenya also noted that the programme is positioned around Shell V-Power’s association with Scuderia Ferrari and will run alongside the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.

The announcement adds to a growing trend of consumer brands in Kenya using creator-led marketing and experiential events to build audience engagement, particularly in automotive and motorsport-adjacent communities. For local businesses, such partnerships increasingly sit alongside traditional advertising as companies compete for attention across social media platforms.

King’ara said the selection marks a new milestone for his content career. “I am incredibly honoured to represent Kenya at the Shell V-Power Games in Budapest. What started as a passion for creating automotive content has opened doors to an amazing global opportunity,” George King’ara said in the press release. He added: “This is a proud moment for me as I partner with a strong brand such as Shell V-Power to tell its story. I'm excited to fly the Kenyan flag high, connect with creators from around the world and watch my heroes battle it out for position one at the F1 Hungary GP.”

Peter Murungi, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Kenya, said the initiative is intended to communicate the Shell V-Power narrative through creator participation. “We are delighted to have George King’ara represent Kenya at the Shell V-Power Games. Seeing a Kenyan creator stand alongside over 60 other international creators reflects the growing influence of our creative industry and Vivo Energy’s commitment to providing opportunities that inspire,” Murungi said. “Through Shell V-Power's partnership with Scuderia Ferrari, this initiative allows us to bring Shell’s performance story to life in a way that resonates with our customers and inspires the next generation.”

In its statement, Vivo Energy Kenya said the event will feature creators from multiple countries, citing South Africa’s actress and media personality Nomzamo Mbatha and Morocco’s television presenter Hicham Masrar among participants.

The company said Shell V-Power is “engineered in collaboration with Scuderia Ferrari” and described Shell and Ferrari as having a long-standing motorsport partnership. It also claimed that Shell V-Power is “the only fuel used, trusted and recommended by Ferrari,” a statement attributed to the press release.

For Kenya’s fuel retail and mobility sectors, the campaign highlights how global brand assets—such as Formula 1 partnerships—are increasingly localised through market-specific activations. Industry observers note that such initiatives can influence brand preference among higher-frequency motorists and urban consumers, while also elevating local digital creators into international campaigns.

Vivo Energy Kenya said King’ara has built a following through vehicle reviews, driving experiences and industry insights, which the company said has contributed to the visibility of Kenya’s digital automotive culture.

The company said audiences can follow updates through Shell Kenya’s social media channels and Shell Motorsport’s global pages, with “challenge announcements, voting information, and leaderboard updates” shared online.

Vivo Energy Kenya’s communications office said media queries can be directed to press-ke@vivoenergy.com or +254 715 828 427.

Rwandan rally driver Queen Kalimpinya is preparing to make her debut at the Safari Rally Kenya, marking her first international competition after building her career in Rwanda’s national championship circuit. The entry comes through the KCB Racing Team, which she said has enabled her to take on the event, described in the statement as one of the most demanding fixtures on the rally calendar.

Kalimpinya, who is based in Kigali, is the defending champion in the Rwanda National Rally Championship, according to the statement. Her participation adds to the growing number of East African drivers using the Safari Rally platform to expand regional motorsport visibility and attract sponsorship, mechanics and logistics work linked to rally operations in Kenya.

The Safari Rally has become a significant event for Kenya’s hospitality, transport and automotive services sectors, drawing teams that require local supply chains and technical support across rally routes and service parks. Participation by regional drivers also strengthens cross-border sporting ties within the East African Community, where motorsport is increasingly viewed as both an entertainment product and a commercial activity tied to brand partnerships.

Kalimpinya’s route into rallying began after earlier public exposure in Rwanda’s beauty pageant scene, where she placed 3rd Runner-Up at the Miss Rwanda pageant in 2017, the statement said. She later shifted into motorsport, initially competing as a co-driver before moving into the driver’s seat.

In remarks included in the statement, Kalimpinya described her entry into the sport as gradual before becoming a serious pursuit. “At first, it was simply about trying something new and having fun,” she said. “But the more I learned about the sport and experienced the adrenaline of rallying, the more determined I became to pursue it seriously.”

She also attributed her Safari Rally opportunity to external backing, citing the cost of competing. “When I received the call, I honestly couldn’t believe it,” Kalimpinya said. “Competing in the Safari Rally and other international events has always been a dream. Motorsport requires significant financial resources, and opportunities like this don’t come easily. Thanks to KCB Racing Team, that dream is beginning to take shape.”

For the Safari Rally, Kalimpinya will be partnered with co-driver Olivier Ngabo, whom the statement described as a professional mechanic and mechanical engineering specialist with experience in transportation and car hire services. Ngabo was part of the 2025 Rwanda National Rally Championship-winning crew and won Best Co-Driver of the Year in 2019, according to the statement. The pair have worked together for three years.

They will also compete with an upgraded car, moving from a Subaru GC8 to a Subaru Impreza WRX STI GVB. Kalimpinya said the car has been tested across different terrains to prepare for the rally stages. “The car feels great, and the team has worked extremely hard on the preparation,” she said. “We believe it is ready for the challenge ahead.”

In terms of targets, Kalimpinya said her focus as a first-time entrant is to finish the rally without major issues while remaining competitive, with trophies positioned as an additional ambition.

For Kenya’s motorsport industry, her participation underscores the role of team sponsorships and structured support programmes in enabling regional talent to enter high-cost events. It also highlights a continued shift toward professionalisation—where driver-co-driver stability, engineering capability and vehicle preparation are critical to performance and safety outcomes.

Next steps will include final logistics and compliance preparations ahead of the Safari Rally start, with Kalimpinya and Ngabo expected to compete under the KCB Racing Team banner as they seek to complete the event and evaluate opportunities for further international rallies, as suggested in her remarks.