Safaricom Pledges KES 114M for 2026 Rhino Charge

In Short

• Safaricom and the M-Pesa Foundation have committed KES 114 million for the 2026 Rhino Charge.
• The money will support ecological restoration and event logistics.
• The 37th Rhino Charge is scheduled for 30 May 2026 in Samburu, Kenya.

What Happened

Safaricom said it will support the 2026 Rhino Charge with KES 114 million, alongside the M-Pesa Foundation. The Rhino Charge is an endurance off-road motorsport event that raises funds for conservation.

The operator said the commitment will cover two main areas. The first is ecological restoration, which means repairing and protecting natural habitats, such as water sources, vegetation, and wildlife corridors. The second is event logistics, which includes the practical costs of running the competition, like planning, safety support, and on-the-ground coordination.

The 2026 event will be the 37th edition. It is scheduled for 30 May in Samburu, a region in northern Kenya that is home to national reserves and community conservancies.

Why It Matters

For Kenya’s tech and telecom sector, this is another example of large operators using corporate foundations to fund public-interest projects at scale. Conservation financing often depends on consistent donations, and long-running events like Rhino Charge can channel money into multi-year restoration work.

It also shows how consumer brands with large reach can tie fundraising to national events that attract wide attention. That matters in a market where trust and visibility can influence customer loyalty, especially for companies that also run mass-market digital services.

Finally, backing logistics and restoration in Samburu can have local spillovers. Better coordinated events can create temporary jobs and procurement for local suppliers, while conservation work can support tourism and community livelihoods over time.