By John Kariuki
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, has assured Kenyans that the government is taking decisive action to combat the recent wave of wildfires that have threatened national parks and protected areas. Speaking during her visit to Nairobi National Park, CS Miano commended firefighters for their bravery and provided an update on the containment efforts.
CS Miano confirmed that all wildfires across the country have been successfully contained, except for one ongoing blaze in Ruma National Park, Homa Bay County. Firefighters are working tirelessly to bring it under control, and the government remains optimistic about its full containment soon.
The CS outlined the key national parks impacted by the wildfires and detailed the swift government intervention. In Nairobi National Park, two fires erupted—one near Wilson Airport and another in the Athi Basin Dam area. Both were swiftly contained through collaboration between Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Nairobi County Government. In the Aberdare Ecosystem, a major fire between Karuru Falls and Elephant Hill required both ground teams and helicopters, following smaller fires in Embaringo, Wanjohi, and Gatare, which have also been extinguished. The Nyoyo fire in Ruma National Park, which broke out on February 29, remains active, with firefighters working round the clock to suppress it. In South Island National Park (Marsabit County), a bushfire scorched 60 square kilometers before being extinguished after four days, while rugged terrain and strong winds complicated the response. Mt. Elgon National Park faced a fire in Kimothon Forest near Saum, threatening critical bamboo forests, but was successfully contained. Fires that erupted in Tsavo West National Park have also been fully put out.
CS Miano attributed the wildfires to a combination of human activities and extreme weather conditions. She highlighted key causes, including honey harvesting, where fires were accidentally started by collectors; land clearing, where farmers set land ablaze for cultivation; arson, where intentional fires were started; and cultural practices, where some communities believe fires attract rain. Additionally, careless smoking has also contributed to the outbreaks.
To combat the crisis, CS Miano announced that the government has mobilized firefighting teams, deployed additional personnel and equipment, and is working closely with Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), county governments, and international partners for a coordinated response. She emphasized that community involvement has been crucial in reporting fires and assisting in containment efforts.
The government is now focusing on long-term prevention strategies, including early warning systems, firebreaks, and public education programs to mitigate future risks. While the full impact on wildlife is still being assessed, CS Miano assured that KWS is actively engaged in rescuing and rehabilitating injured animals and restoring affected habitats.
With Kenya’s peak fire seasons occurring from January to March and August to September, CS Miano urged the public to exercise caution and avoid activities that could spark fires. She emphasized that preventive actions—such as properly disposing of cigarette butts and avoiding fires near protected areas—are crucial in safeguarding Kenya’s natural heritage.
“The government remains fully committed to protecting our wildlife and ecosystems,” CS Miano assured. “I thank our brave firefighters, KWS teams, local communities, and all partners for their unwavering support in this fight.”
As the government continues to monitor the situation, Kenyans are encouraged to report any signs of fire outbreaks to authorities immediately.
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