Heavy rains on Saturday aided firefighters in containing part of the large-scale fire at Kirinyaga Castle Forest within Mt Kenya National Park. A Ministry of Environment and Forestry report confirmed that Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Community Forest Association (CFA) personnel also suppressed flames in Ndaragwa and Kamiruri areas.
However, the blaze persisted in Chogoria, Tharaka-Nithi County, and posed a threat to the park's northwest region. The wildfire, which has burned for eight days, has devastated extensive vegetation and resulted in the death of numerous animals.
Initially reported near Lake Ellis in Tharaka-Nithi County, the blaze spread to Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, and Nyeri counties. Approximately 610 personnel, including 490 Kenya Defence Forces soldiers, have been deployed using five helicopters and water hand pumps to combat the fire.
In Geta Forest, the Sofia area's steep terrain has hindered efforts by nearly 100 CFA and KFS members to extinguish the flames. Shamata Forest also saw fires advancing toward the central moorlands of Aberdare. In the North Rift, fires were reported in Chororgey private farms near Kerio Valley, approximately 10 kilometers from Penon Forest Station.
The Environment and Forestry ministry introduced a new policy mandating 48-hour written notice for vegetation burning near forests due to increased incidents. Chief Conservator of Forests Monica Kalenda noted over 120 fire cases since January, with significant property damage.
