Kenya’s Rhino Charge is increasingly being positioned as more than a motorsport fundraiser, with Safaricom PLC and the M-PESA Foundation using this year’s KES 114 million commitment to link ecosystem restoration with digital infrastructure and innovation in remote environments.
The support targets the 37th edition of the event, set for May 30 in Samburu, under the conservation mandate of the Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust, which uses funds raised through the competition to protect Kenya’s critical water towers.
Conservation investment anchored on key water towers
The largest share of the funding—KES 94 million from the M-PESA Foundation—will finance long-term environmental restoration across major forest ecosystems.
This includes fencing and protection of the Mount Elgon Forest (Suam Block), restoration of the Mau Forest Complex spanning Narok, Kericho and Bomet counties, and continued rehabilitation of the Mount Kenya forest landscape in Tharaka Nithi County.
These forests form part of Kenya’s key water towers, which support agriculture, hydropower generation, and millions of livelihoods.
Digital infrastructure enters conservation terrain
The remaining KES 20 million from Safaricom will go beyond traditional event sponsorship, focusing on connectivity and participation support.
KES 17 million will back three entries: Car No. 44 led by Adil Khawaja, the EV Explorers led by Richard Kiplagat, and the all-women Zambarau Heels on the Wheel team led by Agnes Mwangi. The remaining KES 3 million will support communication systems during the competition.
A central feature of this year’s edition is enhanced network coverage in remote terrain, including deployment of 5G connectivity to support real-time communication between teams, organizers, and spectators navigating the rugged Samburu landscape.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the initiative reflects a broader sustainability and innovation agenda:
“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.”
Motorsport as a platform for inclusion and experimentation
Beyond conservation, the sponsorship is also shaping Rhino Charge into a testing ground for new ideas in mobility and inclusion.
The EV Explorers, the competition’s only electric vehicle team, will again use the event to demonstrate the viability of electric mobility in extreme off-road conditions, while Zambarau Heels on the Wheel continues to spotlight women’s participation in motorsport and conservation fundraising.
Car No. 44 receives KES 15 million, while the EV Explorers and Zambarau teams receive KES 1 million each to support their participation.
A long-term conservation-financing ecosystem
Last year’s event raised KES 269.5 million for conservation, with Safaricom’s long-term involvement helping mobilize over KES 2.6 billion for ecosystem protection over more than a decade.
According to Rhino Ark, more than 650 kilometres of electric fencing have been installed across key forest landscapes, reducing human-wildlife conflict and protecting over 80,000 households living near forest boundaries.
With around 55 entries expected this year, organizers say the Rhino Charge continues to evolve into a hybrid platform where conservation finance, digital connectivity, and experimental mobility converge in one of Kenya’s most demanding environments.
