Samburu terrain hosts 37th Rhino Charge flag-off

Car number 40 in action/Gilbert Koech

The rugged landscapes of Samburu County came alive on Saturday after the flag-off of the 37th Rhino Charge, Kenya’s leading off-road motorsport event supporting forest and wildlife conservation efforts across the country and beyond.

The event was flagged off by Samburu County Governor Jonathan Lelelit and Rhino Ark Charitable Trust Executive Director Christian Lambrechts at Ngilai Wildlife Community Conservancy.

The governor said the motorsport, taking place in the county for the second time since he was elected as county boss four years ago, remains very important for the region.

"It is very important for the community and county as it supports tourism growth and local development efforts overall."

The county reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with one of the world’s toughest off-road competitions, having hosted the event for the seventh time again.

The county’s dramatic landscape of rugged hills, dry riverbeds, rocky escarpments and open plains tested competitors’ driving skills, navigation, endurance and teamwork.

A total of 65 competing vehicles took part after undergoing rigorous technical, safety and environmental compliance inspections before the event.

The winners and the amount raised will be announced on Sunday in an event that President William Ruto will preside over.

Lelelit said many people have thronged the county to experience the breathtaking and tantalising landscapes the county has to offer.

"The whole world is watching, and we are proud of this event happening in Samburu and thank the organisers sincerely," he said.

Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit and Rhino Ark Charitable Trust Executive Director Christian Lambrechts at Ngilai Wildlife Community Conservancy during the flagging off of the 37th edition of Rhino Charge/Gilbert Koech.

Lelelit said there are many benefits to hosting the event.

The governor cited job opportunities for the community as well as projects rolled out from proceeds generated through entrance fees within the county.

The county is also promoted globally and internationally as a leading tourist destination with several products to offer and experiences.

The governor also pointed out that the event offers a valuable opportunity for the county to revive its plans and promote the county's national exhibition.

This initiative will go a long way in ensuring that Samburu County remains one of the leading tourism destinations in the world over time.

Lelelit appealed to the planners of the annual event to consider the county again next year.

He noted that the presence of President William Ruto on Sunday to award the winner signifies the importance of the event overall context.

Lelelit said the event is not only helping the community but also the country conserve its natural resources overall.

The Rhino Charge continues to stand out as a uniquely Kenyan innovation in conservation fundraising.

Since its inception in 1989, the event has raised over Sh 2.7 billion to support the protection of critical ecosystems, including the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, the Mau Forest Complex and Kakamega Forest.

Lambrechts highlighted significant conservation milestones achieved over the past year, particularly in the Southern Mau Forest.

Over the past year, we have invested considerable resources in the southern part of the Mau, a 158,000-hectare indigenous forest that forms critical catchments for the Mara, Sondu, and Ewaso Nyiro South rivers.

This landscape has faced significant pressure from encroachments and settlements, but together with partners we are working to transform it into a tourism-centred conservation area approach over the years strategically.

Rhino Ark has established a new field office in Olenguruone to coordinate the implementation of a major EU-supported conservation programme alongside partnerships with private sector actors to advance landscape restoration and protection across the region.

The executive director said there has been steady progress in Rhino Ark’s flagship electric fencing programme implementation.

He said fencing on Mount Kenya is progressing well, with 318 kilometres completed to date, while in Kakamega, 50 kilometres of the planned 117-kilometre perimeter fence have been constructed.

These interventions are critical in protecting ecosystems from illegal resource extraction and reducing human-wildlife conflict.

Lambrechts said the Mau forest complex will be given attention due to the important role it plays in the country and the wider region.

Set against Samburu’s rugged semi-arid terrain, the 2026 Rhino Charge promised a blend of adventure, innovation and environmental purpose overall.

The region’s dramatic landscapes and rich cultural heritage offered a striking backdrop for this year’s event.

Rhino Charge 2026 also features strong intergenerational participation, with second- and third-generation competitors continuing a tradition that has evolved over nearly four decades.

Seven new entrants — Cars 8, 20, 30, 31, 37, 41, and 55 — join 58 returning teams, bringing fresh energy to the competition.

International participation remains an important feature of the event, with competitors from the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia expected to participate.

Cars 13, 45, and 63 represent this year’s international entries.

Car 29, the pioneering electric vehicle first introduced in 2025, returns for a second year as Rhino Charge explores cleaner technologies and reduced environmental impact in motorsport.