iInna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. I will dedicate all my future work to Abdul Sidi.I will miss Abdul and his articles with a grief that words cannot fully capture. My pictures always carried his articles, and his articles always carried my pictures. We shared one heartbeat. We were one.As a photographer, I will still carry on what he loved doing. Abdul Sidi lives on through my lens and my 44 years of work together. Abdul has left a massive, heartbreaking gap in my life—a blank page that can never, ever be filled.Jamhuri derby highlights weekend cricket actionMy older brother Abdul Sidi and I grew up promoting motorsports in Kenya and the region for the last 44 years, since the 80s.My journey to the absolute pinnacle of global recognition was not a path I walked alone; it was the direct intervention of my elder brother, Abdul. He pulled me into the world of motorsport journalism, setting my life on a course that would define my very existence. Abdul's love for motorsport was absolute, second only to Allah, consuming his soul and driving everything he did.Our bond was forged in the red dust of the rally tracks back in 1985, when I was just a young, eager 23-year-old photographer. It was during that fateful year that my career took a massive, life-altering turn when the legendary sports editor Gishinga Njoroge published my first dramatic image of Najmi Kassam’s Opel Ascona in the Daily Nation, officially ushering me into the world of journalism.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968561##That same year, I captured a world-exclusive, heart-stopping photo of German driver Hans Schüller violently rolling his Nissan 240RS before being airlifted. I owe my entire career to Abdul and to my dear uncle Yakub Allu, who saw my burning interest in motorsport and generously upgraded my camera gear, giving me the tools to match my ambition.Abdul always told me, "I can write the words, Anwar, but you need to write your own story in your own way—through your unique pictures." I quickly realised I could never have sustained my work without his brilliant stories to illustrate my images; we were codependent, a perfectly balanced force.Abdul's genius navigator eye would expertly identify the most dramatic corners on a rally stage, and he would tell me exactly where to position myself. Kakamega Homeboyz chairman’s touching gesture brings joy to visually impaired artistTogether, from those dusty bends, we birthed our iconic duo slogan: "SEND IT FOR THE SIDIS!" What began as our private rallying cry inadvertently turned into a legendary caution for the drivers themselves—whenever they saw me standing on a corner with my camera, they knew a treacherous, challenging bend was ahead, and they pushed their machines to the absolute limit.Abdul’s powerful writing constantly challenged me to push past my comfort zone, prompting me to look far beyond the borders of Kenya and begin contributing my photography to prestigious foreign publications. That single, breathless era cemented a lifelong family covenant to record the roaring soul of motorsport in Kenya. From that day on, we became an unbreakable trinity: Abdul the writer, myself the photographer, and our brother Asgar Sidi the videographer. Motorsport is where our heart was.Sidi Brothers have contributed to the growth of the sport over the years.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968602##Companies, sponsors, competitors, clubs, and event organisers have consistently utilised our materials, stories, and photographs to promote motorsport across various platforms. In particular, my exclusive photographic archives from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s played a pivotal role in marketing and promoting the return of the WRC Safari Rally, spanning from the 2019 candidate event to its official WRC inclusion. This imagery has been featured extensively across billboards, official rally documentation, and print media—all provided free of charge.We were and still are the only duo to have consistently maintained and promoted motorsports through the media and electronic prints. What began as a mere interest quickly consumed us, transforming into an unwavering, sacred commitment that the Sidi brothers could not escape for 44 straight years. Malkia Strikers' Omondi responds to allegations of sidelining senior playersIt was a service driven entirely by pure, unadulterated passion rather than pay, fueling newspaper columns out of love for the sport. Abdul's profound stories written in the Nation Newspaper archives and my accompanying images stand today as the only comprehensive recorded history of an entire motorsport generation.I vow to preserve this priceless treasure by curating it into a comprehensive digital vault, ensuring a lasting legacy for an absolute icon. Abdul's monumental work was never in vain. From 2005 to the present day, the vast majority of rally drivers owe their piece of success directly to Abdul’s guidance. When Kenya made its triumphant return to the global stage, the pioneer Sporting Team of the historic 2021 WRC Safari Rally bore the unmistakable, profound touch and influence of the Sidi Brothers.His footprint was everywhere. Senior officials like Helen Shiri, Kui Mungai, Wamboi Kiiru, and Tuta Mionki all carried a piece of his mentorship, just to mention a few. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9968596##The entire media corps, from National Press Officer down to the youngest cub reporters, leaned heavily on and depended entirely on the vast institutional memory of Abdul. He was the anchor of Safari Rally journalism, single-handedly writing the final daily summary wrap-up story of the Safari that was shared and read worldwide—a monumental task he performed faithfully until 2024.This was a continuation of a lifetime of leadership, having previously served with absolute dedication as the Event Director and Press Officer of the Safari Rally from 2003 until 2024.My sincere appreciation and special thanks to Nation Media Group, The Standard, The People, People Daily, and Taifa Leo for your continued support in publishing our stories and photographs.Government set to introduce term limits for Sports Registrar positionYour coverage and partnership mean a great deal to us, and we truly appreciate your ongoing collaboration.Abdul and I worked hand-in-hand for NMG. Abdul's articles always carried my exclusive, action-packed images. From Go-Karts, Rallycross, Bike Trails, Enduro, KNRC, and ARC events within the region. The Nation's tribute was a beautifully warm send-off, a deeply moving collective salute from the entire media fraternity, our dearest friends, and the drivers we spent decades documenting. We are eternally grateful.It was a gruelling, self-sponsored journey—fueling, accommodation, and meals came entirely from our own pockets. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9968579##Many a time, we had no choice but to sleep huddled together inside a tiny Datsun pick-up during rally events, enduring freezing nights as the rallies stretched relentlessly from Mombasa all the way to Eldoret. Before the mobile phone era, after rallies, we would stop anywhere we saw a telephone booth, shivering in the cold, desperately calling to dictate stories to the sports editors over the line.Yet, Abdul's even bigger role was the fierce family honour he brought to his immediate family.Every single time he conquered the odds and climbed onto the bonnet of a rally car at the finish line of a historic WRC Safari Rally, it filled us with insurmountable pride. Seasoned track coach beats nine to land prestigious government jobThat fleeting, triumphant moment on the bonnet was the only real reward he ever received, yet he selflessly shared the joy of that glory with the people of Chuka, his true spiritual roots.As a competitor, Abdul reached heights that will stand forever in the annals of history. His ultimate career highlight came in 1994, when he brilliantly called the pace notes to navigate Patrick Njiru to an astonishing 4th place overall and 1st in Group N inside a legendary Subaru Impreza.It was the highest finish ever achieved by an African crew—a historic milestone that, under the current WRC format, an African pair may never reach again. He repeated this spectacular magic in 1999, co-driving Phineas Kimathi to 19th overall and 1st in the F2 category in a Hyundai Coupe, single-handedly delivering Hyundai Motor Corporation their very first tangible title in the FIA World Rally Championship.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968559##I extend my profound thanks to motorsport management for recognising the Sidi Brothers with awards over the decades; these honours now occupy a deeply sacred and special place in our family psyche and in the hearts of all Kenyans. Later in life, Abdul beautifully transitioned from a fierce competitor into a selfless teacher and mentor, founding the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy.He poured his heart into training the next generation, and so many drivers competing on the tracks today owe their entire success and careers to his guidance. It was only fitting that his final call to the sport he loved was serving with distinction as the Deputy National Press Officer of the WRC Safari Rally—a beautiful, poignant final closure to an illustrious and matchless career. Lately, the tracks grew quieter.Malkia Strikers duo open up on adjusting to newfound fameAbdul was slowed by ill health, a painful sight for a man who lived with such fierce energy.Big Thanks to everyone who helped, contributed, and supported.THANK YOU Phineas Kimathi, Maina Muturi, Aslam Khan, Hellen Shiri, and the tireless Doctors and Nurses of Nairobi West Hospital who cared for him.Big Thanks to Kiran Kaur and family for the love, help, and support.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968580##The Sohal family, the Bachu Family, Malcolm Lobo & Family, and the Sidi FamilyAnd to my Friends and Followers on social media… Asante Sana.Big thanks to all the Editors, Reporters, and Correspondents from every Electronic and Print Media house who supported the Sidi Brothers.To the drivers who trusted us with their safety and their legacies, and to the friends who stood by us—thank you.FIA leads in paying glowing tributes as Sidi is laid to restBelow is the summary of Abdul Sidi's early background and notable rally career highlights:Career Beginnings.Abdul Sidi’s first experience sitting in a rally car was during the 1986 Coca-Cola Rally alongside driver Peter Hays. Driving a 30-year-old Toyota Corolla, he and Peter Hays achieved a finish in every KNRC Rally they participated in together.Driver Partnerships & TitlesFollowing his start with Peter Hays, he went on to navigate for many of Kenya's top drivers and won several titles. His notable driver partnerships include: – Patrick Njiru – Azar Anwar – Marco Brighetti – Phineas Kimathi – Sarbi Rai – Sammy Aslam – Raju Limbhani – Asad Anwar – Rory Green(ARC Uganda Rally) – Satwant Singh (ARC Zambia Rally) – Susheel Shah – Bimal Shah – John Ngunjiri – Ayub EbrahimHe also participated in the 1989 Marlboro Safari Rally with Belgium's 1988 Group N winner, Grégoire de Mévius, where they retired on the final day of the stage, just 65 km before the finish.We shared one heartbeat. We were one.May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.Anwar Sidi-The Other Half of the Sidi Brothers.
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