TRANS NZOIA, Kenya – It is a significant boost for environmental conservation after the inaugural Jumbo Cross Country and Tree Planting event saw a record 13000 trees planted.
The fun-filled event held this weekend in Kiptogot Forest of Mt. Elgon saw more than 150 participants put their feet on the ground and run for conservation.
Kiptogot Forest in Trans Nzoia County spans 10,243 hectares and is part of the Mt. Elgon Water Tower. The forest station manages both indigenous and exotic tree seedlings, with 200,000 indigenous and 120,000 exotic seedlings currently.
A Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) has been launched for the forest. The presence of a tree nursery and its management suggest active reforestation and conservation efforts within Kiptogot Forest, highlighting its importance for biodiversity and water resource management.
What Charles Mulupi focuses on
Ahead of the event, Jumbo Charge entered into a new Framework of Collaboration for the adoption of Kitale Township Forest Block 4.
“As a dedicated stakeholder, we are proud to contribute toward transforming Kitale into a sustainable, green town,” said Charles Mulupi, the Founder and Chairman of Jumbo Charge Trust.
Mulupi focuses on climate action, conservation, and using technology to raise awareness. Jumbo Charge is also associated with a community water treatment project and the Mt. Elgon 4×4 off-road challenge.
“We have been doing this for the last 10 years. What we do is bring people together through sports so that we can instil the culture of conservation in them,” Mulupi added.
Mulupi further observed that there is a dire need for both Kenya and Uganda to work harmoniously in the conservation of the Mt. Elgon Water Tower.
It must be appreciated that Mt. Elgon is a transboundary resource shared between Kenya and Uganda. Therefore, we welcome the agreement for the two countries to work together in the rehabilitation and conservation of Mt. Elgon because doing it here and forgetting about the other side is futile. So, we welcome this idea; it is timely,” he explained.
According to Mulupi, Jumbo Charge was born in 2015 out of a passion for motorsport and a deep commitment to environmental conservation.
“What started as a small off-road challenge has evolved into a major annual motorsport event that brings together off-road enthusiasts, conservationists, and adventure seekers from across East Africa,” he said.
How the 2020 Jumbo Charge went down
In July 2020, the then 8-year-old Gitau Munene emerged as the winner of the Jumbo Charge 4×4 Mt. Elgon challenge.
“The challenge was good, easy, and fun. There was a lot of mud, but the car I had, a Range Rover P38, was able to cruise the place. Being a Mashujaa Day, I feel I am a champion and a hero. I feel good winning this challenge, especially in first place. The challenge experience was nice and fun with mud,” said Munene.
During the event, Mulupi exuded confidence that the event was fast gaining momentum due to the high turnout of participants and spectators.
“It’s clear that everyone who has come here likes their forest and would love to see it conserved. We encourage you to support us by coming out in large numbers whenever we are here for the challenge,” added Mulupi while acknowledging the support from the sponsors.
