Another year of the Rhino Charge

Kenya has, over the decades, become a haven for motorsports enthusiasts. First was the Coronation Rally that celebrated the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. This morphed into the world-renowned Safari Rally, known as the world’s toughest rally.

Beginning in 1989, however, another motor show entered the field. The Rhino Charge was carved out of a need to raise funds for our water towers that were in danger of being encroached upon by increasing human activities.

Staged in some of Kenya’s virgin wilderness, Rhino Charge is more about the endurance of both man and machine.

With many obstacles along the way, chargers are supposed to make it through about a dozen checkpoints and finish the exercise within the shortest time possible. There are rivers to cross, undulating hills to climb, and the toughest obstacle, known as the gauntlet, where only the fittest survive.

Apart from the location, the above script was no different in Torosei, Kajiado County, on Saturday, June 1, 2024. The region boasts a rich natural heritage, epitomized by the world’s most studied elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem.

Around this region is Lake Magadi, a birder’s paradise presenting an ornithological spectacle to the guests and drivers alike. Adding to the color are the local Maasai people, known globally for their traditions and their love of protecting the environment. This had to be the right location to stage the 35th edition of the Rhino Charge.

Like the Safari Rally, there are crowds too, eager Nairobians with a love for the outdoors. But that is where the similarities between the two groups end. While the Naivasha crowd behaves like bulls on steroids, some good measure of decorum is expected of those attending the Rhino Charge.

The Rhino Charge has strict rules on camping and engaging in any behavior deemed out of tune with the ideals of the event, that of protecting the environment. Everything, from the types of vehicles allowed inside the ‘camp city’ to the forms of entertainment, food, or drinks, is carefully scrutinized.

Failure to adhere to the rules can see a person kicked out despite the huge ‘investment’ in terms of money, commitment, and arduous travel to the venue.

Still, the Charge is never a dull moment. Nothing beats watching the drivers negotiate riverbeds, cut through dense bush and sometimes upset the bees, and try to squeeze through a gauntlet a few feet in width. Like all outdoor events, Kenyans never seem to disappoint with their loud cheers and drinks in hand.

For the drivers and their supporting teams, it is a race against time to finish the event that must be concluded within a 10-hour space. Having modified their vehicles to tackle the tough terrain besides raising cash for conservation, a place on the podium is all they would wish for.

In Torosei, Graham McKittrick in Car Number 5 led the 54 competitors to grab the overall victory, an improvement from last year’s third position. Another veteran, Sean Avery of the Bundu Fundi team in Car Number 38, maintained his second position from last year, while in third place was Jeremy Holley of Team Huzi in Car Number 33.

Sunday morning saw a vibrant prize-giving ceremony graced by Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, who represented President William Ruto.

As the lady in charge of the environment docket and a daughter of the Maasai community, the competition was close to her heart as she commended the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, the organizers of the event, for protecting and restoring Kenya’s water towers.

With conservation fundraising at the heart of the event, a total of Sh325 million was raised this year. Adil Khawaja’s car, AK44, secured the highest individual fundraising amount for the second consecutive year, with an impressive Sh175,100,595, surpassing his previous record.

Peter Kinyua and his Car Number 23 secured the second position, followed by Stanley Kinyanjui in Car Number 62.

And for all their troubles of having their land trampled upon not only by the behemoths but also the influx of human traffic, the local Torosei community received a total of Sh8.4 million and an additional donation of two million shillings from President Ruto through Secretary Tuya. The funds will support community projects, including constructing classrooms at Torosei Secondary School.