Finato banking on reliability as Rhino Charge heads to Samburu

Geco Tribe charges of car 46 in action during the 2025 Rhino charge held in Baringo./ HANDOUT

 Veteran Rhino Charge driver Mateus Finato says his Geco Tribe Chargers team has focused heavily on improving reliability ahead of this weekend’s 37th edition of the Rhino Charge in Samburu County.

The annual off-road motorsport event, organised by Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, has attracted 65 vehicles this year and continues to raise funds for conservation projects across Kenya’s key ecosystems and water towers.

Finato, who will pilot Car 46, said the team used lessons from previous editions to strengthen the vehicle’s weak points, particularly after finishing 31st last season. “With Rhino Charge, you can never be fully ready, but we are in a good place,” said Finato.

“We worked on areas that failed previously, especially around the transmission and the winch setup, and so far the car is moving very well.”

The experienced driver added that continuity within the team setup has also boosted confidence heading into the demanding competition. “The team has stayed together, and that experience always adds value. We understand each other better now, and that helps a lot in an event as demanding as the Rhino Charge,” he said.

Finato expects another punishing challenge in Samburu but believes the upgrades made to the vehicle will improve their competitiveness across the rugged terrain.

“We are expecting a very difficult Charge, but with the improvements we have made to the car, we believe we can overcome any terrain,” he added. Beyond competition, Finato stressed that conservation remains the central motivation behind the team’s participation.

“For us as Geco, the Rhino Charge is our way of giving back to nature. Everything we do ultimately supports conservation, wildlife protection, and the preservation of Kenya’s water towers,” he said.

This year’s edition has also received a major boost from KCB, which has injected Sh7 million into the event. Out of the sponsorship, Sh5 million will support Team AK 44 led by Adil Khawaja, while an additional Sh2 million through the KCB Foundation will back the EV Explorers team as they continue promoting innovation in electric mobility.

Speaking during the sponsorship announcement, KCB Group Director of Marketing and Communications, Rosalind Gichuru, said the event remains important in advancing conservation and sustainability initiatives across the country. “The Rhino Charge continues to play a critical role in conserving Kenya’s vital water towers and ecosystems,” said Gichuru.