Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust’s 2026 Rhino Charge event raised KES 365 million in Samburu County, the highest amount the organisation says it has collected through the annual off-road fundraiser, after the challenge was held on Saturday at Ngilai Community Conservancy.

According to the event statement, Safaricom-backed participant Adil Khawaja (Car No. 44, AK44) retained the top fundraiser position for the fourth consecutive year after raising KES 216 million—an amount Rhino Ark described as the highest ever raised by a single team at the event.

The fundraiser, now in its 37th edition, is a key private-sector and community-supported financing channel for conservation projects linked to Kenya’s mountain ecosystems—often referred to as “water towers”—which are important catchment areas underpinning water supply for households, agriculture, and industry.

Rhino Ark said the 2026 proceeds will support the trust’s activities, including “the conservation and protection of Kenya’s mountain range ecosystems.” It also said it handed over a KES 9.1 million cheque to support Ngilai community projects.

In a statement issued after the event, Khawaja attributed the result to broader support beyond his team. “Retaining the top fundraiser title for the fourth consecutive year is an honour, not just for me but for the entire team. I am grateful to everyone who supported this cause. This achievement reflects the collective effort of many who believe in environmental conservation and in making a lasting impact,” said Adil Khawaja, Team Lead, Car No. 44 (AK44).

Rhino Ark reported that Khawaja raised KES 139.8 million last year, compared with KES 175 million in 2024 and KES 60 million in 2023. In 2026, Mark Glen (Car No. 48) and Peter Kinyua (Car No. 23) raised KES 10.8 million and KES 8.5 million respectively, ranking second and third. Martin Kinyanjui of Magnate Chargers (Car No. 62) was fourth with KES 7.7 million, while Robin Tilbury (Car No. 35) placed fifth after raising KES 7 million, Rhino Ark said.

Beyond fundraising, the event includes a competitive off-road element. Rhino Ark said the 2026 challenge featured 65 cars. Team Huzi (Car No. 33), led by Oliver Outram, won the overall title after covering all 13 checkpoints over a 27 km course under the super modified category, retaining the title for the second year in a row.

The Hatarious Chargers (Car No. 3), led by Gurmeet Mehta, placed second after covering 30.4 km, while Patrick Garner of Braeburn Seven Squared (Car No. 49) finished third after covering 31.1 km, according to the statement. Mark Glen (Car No. 48) and Adil Khawaja (Car No. 44) finished fourth and fifth after covering 31.9 km and 32.2 km respectively. Rhino Ark added that Khawaja clinched the Victor Ludorum award.

Corporate sponsorship remained a significant contributor. Rhino Ark said the 2026 Rhino Charge received KES 114 million in sponsorship support from M-PESA Foundation and Safaricom PLC. Of this, the M-PESA Foundation committed KES 94 million towards conservation activities including “fencing and protection of the Mount Elgon Forest (Suam Block)” and restoration of the Mau Forest Complex across Narok, Kericho and Bomet counties.

Safaricom’s sponsorship supported three cars—Car No. 44, Car No. 29 (The EV Explorers), and Car No. 50 (Team Zambarau, Heels on Wheels)—as well as network connectivity during the event, according to the statement.

The results reinforce the growing role of corporate-linked philanthropy and community conservancy partnerships in financing environmental protection in Kenya, particularly where ecosystem degradation can raise costs for water-dependent sectors and amplify climate-related risks.

Rhino Ark did not provide dates for the next edition in the statement, but said the 2026 event marked the 37th running of Rhino Charge, signalling continuity of the annual conservation fundraising model.