The 37th edition of the Rhino Charge concluded successfully at the picturesque Ngilai Conservancy in Samburu East Constituency, raising an impressive Ksh 365,376,748 for conservation and community development, reaffirming the event’s status as one of Kenya’s most impactful conservation fundraising initiatives.

Held across Samburu’s rugged and roadless terrain, this year’s Rhino Charge once again brought together competitors, sponsors, volunteers, conservation partners and supporters in an extraordinary demonstration of adventure-driven conservation in support of Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust’s efforts to protect Kenya’s vital mountain ecosystems and water towers.

Ruto Praises Rhino Charge Legacy

The vibrant prize-giving ceremony held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, was presided over by His Excellency Dr William Samoei Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya, marking the second time the President has graced the event after a similar appearance in Nkoteiya. Also present were senior government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale, Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit, conservation leaders, development partners, private sector representatives and members of the Rhino Charge family.

In his keynote address, President Ruto praised the Rhino Charge’s remarkable 37-year conservation legacy, declaring that “this event has no equal in Kenya, nor anywhere in Africa.” He lauded the competitors, sponsors, and officials for showing “a dedication and determination that is simply unprecedented.”

Reflecting on the event’s origins, the President noted that what began in 1989 as a fundraising initiative to construct a 38-kilometre electric fence around the Aberdare ecosystem has evolved into one of Africa’s most successful conservation platforms. He observed that Rhino Ark has since supported the construction of 853 kilometres of electric fencing, helping protect Kenya’s mountain forests, wildlife habitats and neighbouring communities while securing critical water towers.

“This is sport in its purest and most demanding form,” President Ruto stated. “You race not only against the clock and against one another, but in service of this nation’s future. That is the noblest form of sport there is; where every kilometre conquered protects a kilometre of forest.” He emphasized that Kenya’s montane forests are the nation’s Water Towers, sustaining agriculture, energy, and the wellbeing of every Kenyan, with an estimated economic value of Ksh 611 billion each year.

Rhino Ark Endowment Fund Launched

The President also reaffirmed the Government of Kenya’s commitment to conservation financing, announcing a major boost for long-term sustainability. “I am proud to learn that Rhino Ark has established an endowment fund, and so today, I am delighted to officially launch the Rhino Ark Endowment Fund,” he said. Revealing a landmark public-private partnership, President Ruto noted that the Rhino Ark Board has committed KES 100 million to the Fund, adding, “The Government will match that commitment, shilling for shilling. And I call upon our partners in the private sector to give generously, to secure the very sources of water that give this nation life.” He further reiterated Kenya’s ambitious environmental agenda, including the national target of planting one billion trees this year.

Rhino Ark’s Conservation Journey

Speaking earlier at the ceremony, Rhino Ark Charitable Trust Board Chairman Peter Kinyua – a veteran of 26 Rhino Charge competitions – traced the event’s origins to three visionary gentlemen: Ken Khule, Rob Combes, and Brian Haworth, noting that Brian Haworth remains a committed Rhino Ark Director nearly four decades later.

Kinyua then introduced the Rhino Ark Board, highlighting that most directors are also active competitors, stating, “They are highly committed to the conservation work of the Trust and have made fundraising for Kenya’s Water Towers a priority in their life.”

Kinyua outlined the Trust’s core mandate: “protecting forests, reducing human-wildlife conflict, strengthening the livelihoods of the forest-adjacent communities, as well as increasing the resilience of our vital montane ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.”

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He reported that over the past 37 years, Rhino Ark has protected 652,000 hectares of vital forest habitats and their wildlife, and through its electric fences, is also protecting over 90,000 Kenyan households from the threats of human-wildlife conflicts.

He underscored the need for sustained maintenance: “The 853 kilometres of electric fences that we have built require daily maintenance. Some of the oldest fence sections have been receiving continuous maintenance for the past 37 years.”

Recalling the 2018 Task Force on Forest Resources Management (which he chaired while at the Kenya Forest Service), Kinyua recommended reviving its implementation dashboard to ensure steady progress.

He concluded by thanking President Ruto for launching the Endowment Fund, noting that the Board’s KES 100 million donation was made with a request for government matching – a request the President immediately fulfilled.

Support for Samburu Communities

In a strong demonstration of Rhino Charge’s community-centred conservation approach, KES 9,163,568 from the proceeds will directly support host community priority projects in Samburu.

This marks an improvement from the 2025 Rhino Charge held in Saimo-Moi, Baringo North Constituency, which raised Ksh 269,520,463 for Rhino Ark conservation efforts and Ksh 8,887,610 for host community projects.

Rhino Charge has been a pivotal partner in preserving Kenya’s water towers and critical ecosystems, including the Aberdares, Kakamega Forest, Mt Kenya, and the Mau Forest Complex. PHOTO/FILE.

Leaders Applaud Conservation Impact

Speaking during the ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano praised Rhino Charge’s enduring contribution to conservation, noting that the event has now raised over Ksh 2.8 billion over its 37-year history in support of critical conservation initiatives across Kenya.

She highlighted the transformative impact of Rhino Ark’s fencing programmes in key ecosystems, including the Aberdares, Mount Kenya, Eburu, Kakamega, and the Mau Forest Complex, describing Rhino Charge as a powerful example of how conservation, community development, and public-private partnerships can work together to protect Kenya’s natural heritage while advancing sustainable tourism.

Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit thanked the President, Rhino Ark, competitors, sponsors, and local communities for making the event a success and reaffirmed Samburu County’s commitment to conservation, tourism, and sustainable development.

Competition Results

The competitive spirit of Rhino Charge 2026 was matched by an equally impressive turnout on the course. Sixty competitors took part in this year’s grueling challenge, with five withdrawals – Cars 8, 16, 30, 31 and 65.

None of the first entrants category competitors completed the demanding course and therefore no award was issued in that category.

In the international category, Car 63 – Aussie Rules, entered by Timothy Carstens, won the award for the Most Meritorious International Team.

Defending champions Team Huzi Car 33, entered by Oliver Outram, successfully retained their title to emerge as the overall winners of Rhino Charge 2026, following another exceptional performance in navigation, teamwork and endurance across Samburu’s unforgiving terrain. Their victory follows last year’s triumph and comes after dethroning 2024 winner Graham McKittrick (Car 5).

Second place overall went to Car 3 – The Hatarious Chargers, entered by Gurmeet Mehta, while Car 49 – Braeburn Seven Squared, entered by Patrick Garner, secured third position.

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Top Fundraisers

In the fundraising category, Adil Khawaja’s AK44 once again topped the charts, raising an extraordinary Ksh 216,289,012, marking a fourth consecutive fundraising victory and surpassing his own 2025 record of Ksh 139,007,995.

Second place in fundraising went to Mark Glen’s Team 48, which raised Ksh 10,833,905, while Car 23, entered by Peter Kinyua, retained third place with Ksh 8,525,000.

Martin Kinyanjui’s Magnate Chargers secured fourth place after raising Ksh 7,777,298, while Robin Tilbury’s Hog Charge Team rounded off the top five with Ksh 7,069,507.48.

A Lasting Conservation Legacy

The sustained growth of Rhino Charge participation continues to reflect growing enthusiasm and support for conservation through adventure motorsport.

Since its inception in 1989, Rhino Charge has raised billions of shillings to support Rhino Ark’s conservation work focused on protecting Kenya’s critical mountain forest ecosystems and water towers, including the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, Mau Forest Complex, Kakamega Forest, and Eburu Forest.

As Rhino Charge 2026 closes in Samburu, it leaves behind not only unforgettable memories of grit, endurance, and adventure, but also a lasting legacy for conservation and local communities — proving once again that motorsport can be a powerful force for environmental conservation.

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Since its inception, the Rhino Charge has raised more than KSh2.8 billion for the Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust. PHOTO/PCS.