By MKT Reporter
The 2025 edition of the Rhino Charge off-road motorsport event concluded at the picturesque Saimo-Moi in Baringo North Constituency, raising a remarkable KSh269,520,463 for conservation efforts.
In a strong show of community inclusion, KSh8,887,610 from the entry donations will directly benefit the host community priority projects, underlining the event’s ethos of giving back to local communities.
The vibrant prize-giving ceremony held yesterday was graced by several dignitaries who included Mr. Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy on Road Safety, Joseph Makilap, MP Baringo North, Felix Maiyo, Deputy Governor of Baringo, Ondrej Simek, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation, Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium to Kenya; and Mr. Evans Omulo, representing the CEO of the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board.
Others were Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, and Mr. Paul Russo, CEO of KCB Group.
Ndegwa reaffirmed Safaricom’s enduring partnership with Rhino Ark, noting that its support aligns with the company’s three passion pillars: sports, environmental conservation, and connectivity/financial inclusion.
Rhino Ark Charitable Trust Executive Director Christian Lambrechts paid tribute to the 64 sponsors and the many volunteers who collectively saved the event KSh60 million in logistical and operational costs. He singled out Safaricom for its unwavering 15-year partnership and cumulative contribution of KSh253 million, highlighting the company as a cornerstone in Rhino Ark’s conservation success.
“This event is about motorsport. It is also about fun. But more importantly, it is about fundraising for conservation. Conservation is truly what brings us all here today,” Lambrechts noted.
“We do not build fences for the sake of it. Our 805 kilometres of electric fencing protect over half a million Kenyans from human-wildlife conflict and shield 570,000 hectares of vital mountain forest ecosystems. These forests are the lifeblood of our nation; catchment areas, carbon sinks, wildlife habitats and their protection translates to ecological services worth KSh348 billion annually to the Kenyan economy,” he added.
He further announced the forthcoming launch of the Rhino Ark Endowment Fund, approved by the Board of Directors and revealed a new milestone: the Trust recently secured its largest-ever single grant of KSh330 million, aimed at revitalizing the 158,000-hectare Southern Mau Forest which is equivalent to three-quarters the size of Mt. Kenya.
“We owe this achievement to the support of many friends and partners, including Rob Olivier, Sean Avery, Peter Kinyua, and our friends at WWF-Kenya and WWFBrussels. Together, we are shaping a new future for Kenya’s forests,” Lambrechts said.
In a show of national solidarity, Kenya Defence Forces Brigadier Joel M’Arimi, Commander of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, applauded the Rhino Charge organizers for hosting the event in a region under active security operations.
“This Charge has given us morale and motivation as security forces and is a big sign of togetherness,” he remarked.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) was also strongly represented by a senior team, including Mr. Gideon Kebati, Ms. Lucy Muita, Mr. Eric Aduda, and Ms. Maurine Musimbi, reflecting the strong partnership between Rhino Ark and government conservation agencies.
Prof. Erustus Kanga, the KWS Director General, described the Charge as a beacon of conservation and unity.
“Kenya Wildlife Service, Rhino Ark, and the Rhino Charge are in many ways triplets. All three were born in 1989, bound by a shared vision to protect Kenya’s nature,” he said.
“From that first daring event that raised KSh250,000 for fencing the Aberdares, to the over KSh2.4 billion raised to date, this journey has been extraordinary. That success,I must say, has everything to do with you, the Chargers,” Prof. Kanga added.
He lauded the impact of Rhino Ark’s fencing efforts in reducing conflict and enhancing livelihoods, saying, “For the beekeepers, the farmers, the herders, and the schoolchildren living near these forests, these fences mean something deeply personal: fewer lost crops, fewer sleepless nights, and more opportunities to thrive.”
Prof. Kanga also emphasized that KWS remains committed to supporting such initiatives through wildlife law enforcement, habitat restoration and community engagement, noting, “Conservation is no longer just about wildlife. It is about people, prosperity, and the planet, all moving forward together.”
This year, the competition was fierce, with Jeremy Holley claiming the overall victory, dethroning last year’s winner, Graham McKittrick.
In the fundraising category, Adil Khawaja’s AK44 topped the charts once again with KSh139,007,995, marking a third consecutive win, followed by Peter Kinyua’s Car 23 with KSh13,476,800 and Tim Carstens’ Aussie Rules (Car 63) with KSh8,507,347.
A total of 64 out of 65 registered teams participated, a sharp increase from last year’s 54 competitors and the previous year’s 52 entrants, underscoring growing enthusiasm for the conservation cause.
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