Electric car debuts as Rhino Charge raises Sh269 million for conservation

Rhino Charge in Torosei, Kajiado on Saturday, June 1, 2024. [Courtesy, Rhino Charge]

This year's edition of the Rhino Charge, an off-road motorsport event, raised Sh269 million for conservation efforts.

The event took place in Saimo-Soi in Baringo North over the weekend, where 64 vehicles participated in the adrenaline-packed competition, marking the 36th edition.

Rhino Ark Director Christian Lambrechts said the amount raised would go towards fencing the country's major water towers-an initiative that has already been undertaken in various ecosystems, including the Mau, Aberdare, Mt Kenya, and Kakamega forests.

"This event is about motorsport. It is also about fun. But more importantly, it is about fundraising for conservation," Lambrechts noted.

The annual off-road motorsport event has so far contributed to the fencing of 805 kilometres of electric fence across the 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 Sh348 billion annually to the Kenyan economy," he added.

This year also saw the entry of an electric vehicle, a first of its kind in the off-road competition. Unlike the rest, which relied on traditional engines, the electric car offered a glimpse into the future of sustainable motorsport.

"The participation of the first locally assembled electric car offers a glimpse of a more sustainable motorsport in the future," Lambrechts said.

Kenya Wildlife Service Director General, Prof Erustus Kanga, described the motorsport event as a cornerstone of conservation since 1989, when the annual initiative began.

"From that first daring event that raised Sh250,000 for fencing the Aberdares in 1989 to the over Sh2.4 billion raised to date, this journey has been extraordinary. That success has everything to do with you, the Chargers," Prof Kanga said.

He lauded the impact of Rhino Ark's fencing efforts in reducing human-wildlife conflict and improving livelihoods.

"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," he said.

This year's competition saw 15 out of the 64 vehicles complete the course, with Jeremy Holley claiming the overall victory.

In the fundraising category, Adil Khawaja's team topped the charts with Sh139 million, followed by Peter Kinyua's Car 23 with Sh13.4 million.

The event marked the fifth time the Rhino Charge has been held in Baringo County, with previous editions taking place in Kinyach, Mogoswok, Yatya, and Sabon.

Rhino Ark also announced it had secured one of its largest-ever single grants-Sh330 million-to be used for conserving the 158,000-hectare Southern Mau Forest.