One of Kenya's most important and successful conservation projects in recent years is a 450-km
fence completely encircling the Aberdare and Kipipiri forests. The fence has taken 20 years to build
at a cost of $10 million.
And a part of Total Kenya's heart and soul is built into every day and every metre of that epic achievement.
We have supported the fencing project ever since it started in 1989, and stayed with it every step
of the way for more than two decades – because these mountain forests benefit every living thing in
Kenya, especially the people.

The Aberdares and Kipipiri are an all-important "water tower" (Kenya has only seven) – they are
not only part of a priceless natural heritage (a unique biodiversity of plants, a habitat for wild
animals, an engine of tourism), but also the source of several major rivers and the regulator of
regional climate on which millions of farmers and all urban water supplies depend.
Before the fence, the forests were a damaging and often deadly battleground programmed for the
mutual destruction of both humans and nature in the area. Wildlife (including elephants, buffalo and
wild pigs) constantly raided neighbouring farms, destroying crops and sometimes killing people.
In turn human settlement slashed and burned its way into the trees, poached the timber and killed the
 wildlife. Both sides were being destroyed.

The fence has turned that lose-lose situation into a win-win: the farmers and their crops are now
safe, and the forest is secured and preserved. Humans are thriving. Nature is thriving. And the benefits
 to and from both can look forward to a healthy future…in harmony.
The success of the concept, the enormity of the construction achievement, are now nationally –
indeed globally – recognized. Total Kenya was pleased and proud to be acknowledged as a major
supporter of the project when the final post of the fence was put in place at the end of 2009, and again
when that historic site became the venue for a monument and a formal declaration by the President that
Government policy would protect all Kenya's indigenous forests for all people for all time.

But we are especially proud that we were there when the first post was put in place more than
two decades ago, when many people did not believe the project could work, and said the money
could not be raised and the fence could not be built.
Total was among the first to say "it will work, and it can be done!" and to make a long-term
commitment to making that vision a reality.
The primary driver of awareness and fund-raising for the project was a crazy off-road event
called "The Rhino Charge". It was first staged as an experimental publicity stunt and Total Kenya
 supported it with funds and materials. It has since grown enormously in status and scale and is today
one of the biggest and most famous off-road motoring events in the world, and now consistently raised
around $1 million each year towards construction of the fence and a Trust Fund  for permanent maintenance.

This year, the 21st Rhino Charge was staged in the usually barren and always blistering hot and rocky
wilderness south of Lake Magadi. As ever, the maximum entry was fully subscribed by competitors who
brought along total sponsorship of more than shs 72 million. It was run by hundreds of officials and attended by thousands of spectators.

Total always has been and still is an integral part of this extraordinary project, a committed partner of those
who had the original vision and still hold it strong, those who give a large part of their lives to planning and
running the annual event, those who dare to enter as competitors and sweat blood not only on the day but
throughout the year raising sponsorship, and those with the power – and the wisdom - to make the project
concept a part of national policy.

Each of these is a true leader, and it is right that Total stands alongside them.