{"id":2785,"date":"2026-05-22T09:19:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T09:19:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/?p=2785"},"modified":"2026-05-22T09:19:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T09:19:28","slug":"safaricom-pumps-kes-114-million-into-rhino-charge-2026-to-protect-kenyas-water-towers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/?p=2785","title":{"rendered":"Safaricom Pumps KES 114 Million Into Rhino Charge 2026 to Protect Kenya\u2019s Water Towers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor\u00a0<\/strong><\/h6>\n

\"\"<\/a>Safaricom PLC and the M-PESA Foundation have injected KES 114 million into the 37th edition of the Rhino Charge Challenge, reinforcing efforts to conserve Kenya\u2019s critical water towers and protect vulnerable ecosystems across the country.<\/p>\n

The 2026 Rhino Charge Challenge, scheduled for Saturday, May 30 in Samburu County, will benefit from the funding through forest fencing, ecosystem restoration, team sponsorships, and advanced connectivity support aimed at enhancing the overall event experience.<\/p>\n

Out of the total contribution, the M-PESA Foundation has committed KES 94 million towards Rhino Ark conservation activities, including the fencing and protection of the Mount Elgon Forest (Suam Block) and the restoration of the Mau Forest Complex spanning Narok, Kericho, and Bomet counties.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The funding will also support the Mount Kenya Forest Rehabilitation and Protection Project in Tharaka Nithi County, underscoring the Foundation\u2019s commitment to safeguarding Kenya\u2019s vital ecosystems and water catchment areas.<\/p>\n

Safaricom PLC has separately contributed KES 20 million, with KES 17 million allocated to support three competing teams and KES 3 million earmarked for network connectivity during the event.<\/p>\n

Among the beneficiaries are Car No. 44 led by Adil Khawaja, the EV Explorers team headed by Richard Kiplagat, and the all-ladies team, Zambarau Heels on the Wheel led by Agnes Mwangi.<\/p>\n

Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony at Safaricom Headquarters in Nairobi, Safaricom CEO reaffirmed the company\u2019s commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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\u2019s natural heritage while driving innovation and resilience,\u201d said Ndegwa.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Safaricom will deploy 5G connectivity during the event to improve communication and engagement for participants and spectators, showcasing how technology can transform experiences even in remote and rugged environments.<\/p>\n

Under the sponsorship arrangement, Car No. 44 will receive KES 15 million, while EV Explorers and Zambarau Heels on the Wheel will each receive KES 1 million to facilitate their participation.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Rhino Charge is expected to attract over 55 entries, including defending champions Team Huzi (Car No. 33) and the all-ladies Team Zambarau.<\/p>\n

Speaking on behalf of the Zambarau Heels on the Wheel team, welcomed the support, describing it as a major boost for women participating in conservation-focused motorsport.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis support not only empowers our team but also reinforces our shared mission of advancing conservation and protecting Kenya\u2019s natural heritage through the Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust,\u201d she said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Last year\u2019s Rhino Charge event held in Saimo Soi, Baringo County, raised KES 269.5 million towards environmental conservation. Adil Khawaja emerged as the top fundraiser for the third consecutive year after raising KES 139.8 million.<\/p>\n

EV Explorers team lead said Safaricom\u2019s backing would motivate the electric vehicle team to improve on last year\u2019s performance and champion sustainable mobility solutions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the only EV team in the competition, we are highly motivated not only to complete the challenge but also to emerge among the best as we champion the future of electric mobility and environmental conservation,\u201d he stated.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Safaricom has supported the Rhino Charge initiative for more than a decade, helping raise over KES 2.6 billion for conservation projects. The funds have supported electric fencing initiatives in Mt. Kenya, Aberdares, Kakamega Forest, and other critical ecosystems.<\/p>\n

To date, the Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust has constructed over 650 kilometres of electric fencing, helping protect more than 80,000 families from human-wildlife conflict.<\/p>\n

Rhino Ark Executive Director praised the long-standing partnership with Safaricom and the M-PESA Foundation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s preparations for the Rhino Charge Challenge are in full swing, and we expect a total of 65 entries to take part in the challenge and fundraising effort in support of this noble cause of environmental conservation and the protection of Kenya\u2019s vital water catchment towers,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Rhino Charge is an annual off-road 4\u00d74 competition that raises funds for the Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust, an environmental conservation organization dedicated to protecting Kenya\u2019s mountain forests and water towers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor\u00a0 Safaricom PLC and the M-PESA Foundation have injected KES 114 million into the 37th edition of the Rhino Charge Challenge,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-corporate-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2785"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2785\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2788,"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2785\/revisions\/2788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livenation254.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}