Car 34 during this year's rhino charge in Samburu/Gilbert Koech
The protection and conservation of Kenya’s water towers have received a major boost after more than Sh365 million was raised through Kenya’s premier motorsport event.
A total of Sh365,376,748 was raised over the weekend during the 37th edition of the Rhino Charge event presided over by President William Ruto in Wamba, Samburu county.
Ruto lauded the initiative, saying the chargers, sponsors and politicians had, for the past 37 years, demonstrated unprecedented dedication and determination.
“It began in 1989 with one bold and noble idea to build a 38-kilometre fence in the Aberdares. Thirty-seven years later, that single idea has grown into the most impactful conservation project this nation has ever known,” Ruto said.
The President said the country’s water towers are critical because they sustain agriculture and fisheries, generate energy and support manufacturing.
“Our montane forests are the water towers of Kenya. They sustain agriculture, fisheries, energy and manufacturing. They support the wellbeing of every Kenyan,” he said.
“Their value to our economy is estimated at Sh611 billion each year. We do not merely admire these forests; we depend on them.”
Present at the event were Tourism CS Rebecca Miano, Health CS Aden Duale, Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit, Rhino Ark Charitable Trust executive director Christian Lambrechts, Kenya Wildlife Service director general Erustus Kanga and other county leaders.
Ruto said the country depends on its water towers and cannot afford to take them for granted.
He said the government plans to grow one billion trees this year as part of efforts to protect the ecosystems.
Ruto said the date for the national exercise will be set between September and October this year.
He added that he had established an Integrated Natural Resource Management Secretariat in his office and that the government was developing a policy to streamline efforts and strengthen coordination among all agencies entrusted with environmental matters.
Ruto said the fences that have been built must be sustained and that the government would support the endowment fund established by the Rhino Ark Trust.
The board of Rhino Ark has committed Sh100 million to the fund.
Ruto said the government would match the contribution by providing Sh100 million this year and another Sh100 million next year.
“I understand the Board of Rhino Ark has committed Sh100 million to this fund. The government will match that commitment, shilling for shilling. I also call upon our private sector partners to give generously to secure the very sources of water that give this nation life,” he said.
Ruto said sustainability is at the heart of any human endeavour intended to outlive its founders.
He thanked the chargers, saying they embody the discipline, teamwork and resilience needed to move the nation forward.
“The Rhino Charge is not won on smooth tarmac or level ground. It is won on punishing terrain, through ravines and across rocks, where navigation, courage, mechanical skill and sheer grit are tested to the limit,” he said.
He added that the spirit of competition serves a cause greater than any trophy.
Rhino Ark Board chair Peter Kinyua said the organisation remains committed to protecting the country’s water towers.
“The board has kept Rhino Ark focused on its core mandate of protecting forests, reducing human-wildlife conflict, strengthening the livelihoods of forest-adjacent communities and increasing the resilience of our vital mountain ecosystems,” said Kinyua, who has taken part in 30 competitions.
Kinyua praised ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting the country’s forest resources.
He said the progress made through the Rhino Charge over the past 37 years had been tremendous.
“As of today, we have built 853 kilometres of electric fence in the Aberdares, Mount Kenya, Mau and Kakamega. Together with government agencies, we are protecting 652,000 hectares of vital forest habitats and wildlife,” he said.
Kinyua said the habitats provide water to cities, hydropower plants and most rivers in the country.
“In addition to our fences, we are protecting more than 90,000 Kenyan households from the threat of human-wildlife conflict,” he said.
The Rhino Charge continues to stand out as a uniquely Kenyan innovation in conservation fundraising.
Since its inception in 1989, the event has raised more than Sh2.7 billion to support the protection of critical ecosystems, including the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, the Mau Forest Complex and Kakamega Forest.
A total of 65 competing vehicles took part after undergoing rigorous technical, safety and environmental compliance inspections before the event.
