All fires in the Mt Kenya forest have been extinguished, according to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials. The agency warned that the blaze cannot be officially declared out until after a two-day monitoring period due to lingering smoldering logs.
Heavy rainfall on Sunday helped suppress large flames at Kirinyaga Castle Forest, a critical area within the Mt Kenya National Park. This followed a week of uncontrolled wildfires that scorched over 120,000 hectares of vegetation and spread across five counties, including Embu, Meru, and Laikipia.
KWS confirmed that firefighting efforts involved coordinated operations by the Kenya Defence Forces, Environment and Forestry Ministry, and Tourism and Wildlife Ministry. Additional support came from international and local organizations including the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk), Tropic Air, and conservation groups like Lewa Conservancy and Rhino Ark.
The fires originated near Lake Ellis in Tharaka-Nithi County a week prior, with strong winds accelerating their spread. Authorities reported successful containment in Ndaragwa and Kamiruri areas by Sunday, though vigilance remains critical as nighttime conditions could reignite embers.
