Rhino Charge roars through bandit-hit Baringo as peace returns

For years, this striking terrain was associated more with fear than its natural splendour, as security convoys rumbled through the rugged landscape and villages braced for dusk in silence.

Following a spate of attacks, the government on February 13, 2023, declared parts of Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, and Laikipia counties as “disturbed and dangerous,” officially placing them under a multi-agency security operation dubbed Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) to restore peace.

But on Saturday, May 31st, 2025, that same land told a different story. The air vibrated not with fear, but with the exhilarating roar of four-wheel-drive monster motorsport vehicles, kicking up trails not in pursuit of criminals, but in celebration of speed, adventure, conservation fundraising, community income, and above all, peace.

This time, the cries that echoed through the valleys of Baringo North, were not of pain or panic, but of pure excitement. Spectators lined the rocky outcrops, screaming in delight and cheering on their favourite Chargers, egging them on, gassing them up to take the toughest routes and conquer the wild terrain. Baringo’s escarpments and winding riverbeds echoed with the energy of the Rhino Charge, a powerful symbol that the region’s rugged beauty has transformed from a battleground into a motorsport destination. 

Joshua Changwony at the 36th Rhino Charge event held in Saimo Soi, Baringo County.

“My name is Joshua Changwony. I live in Ngaratuko village, where an attack in April led to the loss of lives and injuries,” says Changwony, shielding his eyes from the afternoon sun as off-road vehicles tear through the rugged terrain.

“We have received visitors from Nairobi and other countries. Ilisemekana kwamba mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone. As the saying goes, let the visitor come so the host may benefit.”

Changwony’s words capture the emotion and significance of the moment. The once-isolated Saimo Soi has become the vibrant heart of the 36th edition of the Rhino Charge, one of the world’s toughest off-road motorsport events that raises funds for environmental conservation.

64 elite teams, also known as Chargers, gathered in Baringo North to traverse over 100 square kilometres of wild, unmarked landscape, testing not only the capabilities of their machines but also their teamwork, determination, and strategy.

For residents like Changwony, however, this was more than just a race, it marked a turning point.

“As a community, we have been left behind, despite the region’s fertile land, it remains underutilised, as conflict and fear kept investment and development at bay.” he says  “Since Kenya’s independence 61 years ago, locals here have endured decades of insecurity, poor infrastructure, and limited access to education, employment, and even fun activities like this motorsport event. Today, we’ve welcomed hundreds of visitors from across Kenya and the world to our ancestral land for a world-class competition.”

That began to change with the launch of Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) in 2023, a multi-agency security operation led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Kenya Police Service, with support from National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs). Slowly, the guns fell silent. Though isolated attacks still occur, a remarkable shift—once thought impossible, is now visible.

The event came just weeks after Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited Kampi Samaki and the troubled Baringo North, assuring residents that OMU would restore long-lost peace.

“He kept his promise,” Changwony reflects. “This event is deeply symbolic, beyond the funds raised or the conservation impact. Without peace, we cannot spark lasting transformation, we want to replace security camps with classrooms ,  fear with economic activities like sports tourism.”

Safaricom  Chief Executive Officer Dr. Peter Ndegwa and  Christian Lambrechts, Executive Director of Rhino Ark, at the main Rhino Charge checkpoint known as the Gauntlet.

Christian Lambrechts, Executive Director of Rhino Ark, the organisation behind the event, lauded the security teams, the host community and the government for prioritizing the peace agenda and alongside conservation. 

“Rhino Charge is more than just a race. It is a lifeline for conservation,” said Lambrechts. “Over the years, it has raised more than KSh 2.4 billion to protect Kenya’s delicate ecosystems. These funds have supported the construction of 805 kilometres of electric fencing in the Aberdare Range, Mount Eburu, and Mount Kenya.”

The organisation has also supported the creation of a 40-square-kilometre black rhino sanctuary, a mountain bongo rewilding programme, forest restoration efforts, community-led nature-based enterprises, beekeeping cooperatives, and firefighting teams. Additionally, 56 kilometres of eco-trails have been developed, drawing 19,000 domestic tourists to the Aberdares in 2024 alone.

Now, Lambrechts’ words echo through the valleys of Baringo, where conservation for peace  lifeline is beginning to transform lives. 

At the prize-giving ceremony, Brigadier Joel Arimi, Commander of OMU, addressed the crowd with pride.

“Hosting a world-class event of this magnitude in an area once labelled a ‘bandit zone’ is no ordinary achievement,” he said. “It reflects the real progress we have made, through the efforts of the Kenya Defence Forces, partner agencies, and the strong cooperation of local communities.”

He applauded the discipline and dedication of organisers, volunteers, and residents, crediting their efforts for a peaceful and well-coordinated three-day event.

Brigadier Arimi also emphasised the importance of such high-profile activities in boosting public morale, strengthening community trust, and encouraging ongoing development.

As cars raced across gullies and bounced over boulders, a deeper transformation was taking root, one that brought together communities long divided by violence and mistrust.

“This event has united us,” Changwony says nostalgically. “It has brought together people who were once in conflict, people who used to fight over livestock and water, are all here, sharing this moment.”

He hopes Rhino Charge becomes a tradition in Baringo.

“What we truly desire is for these people to keep coming back frequently. To come practice here.  Let this area open up to the rest of the world. We have the land and we love it.”

As night falls over Saimo - Soi, headlights glimmer across the ridges like stars, illuminating a new beginning. 

In the dust and laughter left behind by Rhino Charge, a new chapter is being written, one of resilience, development and peace brought by Operation Maliza Uhalifu.