The 2026 Rhino Charge Challenge is set to receive a KES 114 million injection from Safaricom PLC and the M-PESA Foundation, strengthening one of Kenya’s longest-running conservation fundraising platforms ahead of its 37th edition in Samburu.
The funding will support both environmental restoration work and operational needs for the event, which is implemented through the Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust.
Conservation focus shifts to landscape protection and climate resilience
A total of KES 94 million from the M-PESA Foundation will be channelled into large-scale ecosystem restoration across key forest landscapes.
Priority areas include the Mount Elgon Forest (Suam Block), the Mau Forest Complex spanning Narok, Kericho and Bomet counties, and the Mount Kenya forest ecosystem in Tharaka Nithi County.
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These interventions are aimed at strengthening Kenya’s water towers—critical ecosystems that regulate water supply, support agriculture, and enhance climate resilience across multiple regions.
Corporate support expands beyond racing into infrastructure
Safaricom PLC’s KES 20 million contribution will support both participating teams and communication infrastructure during the event.
KES 17 million will go toward three entries: Car No. 44 led by Adil Khawaja, the EV Explorers team led by Richard Kiplagat, and the Zambarau Heels on the Wheel all-women team led by Agnes Mwangi. The remaining KES 3 million will support connectivity systems during the competition.
A key highlight of the sponsorship is the integration of advanced network coverage, including 5G connectivity in remote terrain, enabling real-time communication in one of Kenya’s most challenging environments.
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Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the partnership reflects a broader environmental and social impact strategy:
“This year, we are proud to commit KES 114 million through the M-PESA Foundation and Safaricom. As a company, sustainability remains central to how we create long-term value for our customers, communities, and the environment. Our support for the Rhino Charge reflects our commitment to practical conservation efforts that protect Kenya’s natural heritage while driving innovation and resilience.”Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa
Participation support highlights innovation and inclusion
Part of the funding will directly support competing teams, with Car No. 44 receiving KES 15 million, while the EV Explorers and Zambarau teams receive KES 1 million each.
The EV Explorers continue to position themselves as a clean mobility pioneer in the event, using electric vehicle technology in extreme off-road conditions. Meanwhile, the Zambarau team continues to push for greater inclusion of women in motorsport and conservation-driven competition.
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Long-term conservation impact grows
Last year’s Rhino Charge raised KES 269.5 million, contributing to ongoing efforts to protect Kenya’s water catchment ecosystems.
Over the years, Safaricom’s partnership has helped mobilize more than KES 2.6 billion for conservation work, including electric fencing projects that have covered over 650 kilometres and reduced human-wildlife conflict in forest-adjacent communities.
With around 55 entries expected this year, organizers say the Rhino Charge continues to evolve into a national platform where corporate sustainability, environmental protection, and innovation intersect in a single high-intensity event.
