By JEOL MWASI
newshub@eyewitness.africa
Over the previous few days, a number of nationwide parks managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) have been ravaged by a sequence of wildfires, posing a big risk to Kenya’s delicate ecosystems and wildlife.
In keeping with KWS, the outbreaks have spurred emergency responses from varied companies, together with KWS, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), native volunteers, county governments, and neighborhood members, all working tirelessly to fight the infernos.
KWS, the state company answerable for the administration of nationwide parks and wildlife reserves throughout Kenya, has issued updates on the state of affairs, revealing the size of the continuing disaster and the progress being made.
Nonetheless, the severity of the wildfires continues to pose a big problem, with many areas nonetheless below energetic containment efforts. As of the most recent studies, KWS has been mobilising its sources to battle the blazes in varied areas, with various ranges of success.
KWS stated on Thursday, two separate fires broke out throughout the Nairobi Nationwide Park. The primary fireplace, positioned close to Wilson Airport alongside the Southern Bypass, was swiftly contained because of the coordinated efforts of KWS and the Nairobi County Authorities.
Nonetheless, a second blaze erupted within the Athi Basin Dam space at 4:00 PM, and it stays an ongoing firefighting operation. Floor groups, supported by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), volunteers, fireplace engines, and water bowsers, are working tirelessly to comprise the flames and forestall additional unfold.
Within the Aberdare ecosystem a big fireplace broke out between Karuru Falls and Elephant Hill, a area already going through the lingering results of three smaller fires in Embaringo, Wanjohi, and Gatare.
KWS stated it has deployed each floor groups and helicopters to entry these distant areas, because the rugged terrain complicates firefighting efforts. Happily, these smaller fires have been contained, though vigilance stays excessive.
It stated at Ruma Nationwide Park in Homa Bay County, a hearth referred to as the “Nyoyo fireplace” ignited yesterday night, making a race in opposition to time for firefighting groups to suppress the blaze earlier than rising temperatures make containment harder. These groups are already mobilised and able to take swift motion at first mild.
KWS stated South Island Nationwide Park in Loiyangalani, Marsabit County had additionally been affected. It stated a bushfire ignited on February 17, 2025, within the Marti Esse plains, that are a part of the proposed ASHE Conservancy.
Cupboard Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, touring a number of the affected parks. PHOTO/KWS
This blaze burned for 4 days, overlaying an space of roughly 60 sq. kilometres. Although the fireplace has now been extinguished, the rugged terrain and robust winds made it notably difficult for firefighting efforts.
KWS famous that whereas the wildfires are a critical concern, there have been notable successes in containing a number of the blazes. It added that at Mt Elgon Nationwide Park, a hearth that broke out within the Kimothon Forest close to Saum throughout the forest reserve was a big trigger for concern.
The hearth shortly unfold towards the park’s essential bamboo forests and its peak, threatening one of the ecologically delicate areas of the park. Because of swift motion by KWS and KFS rangers, the blaze was efficiently suppressed. Rangers stay on excessive alert, persevering with their efforts to stop flare-ups within the space.
KWS additionally revealed that at Tsavo West Nationwide Park, a hearth that broke out lately in Tsavo West has been absolutely contained, a lot to the aid of conservationists and park authorities.
“This marks a significant victory within the ongoing struggle in opposition to wildfires in Kenya’s nationwide parks,” KWS stated.
It stated in Aberdare ecosystem regardless of some current outbreaks, corresponding to these in Embaringo, Wanjohi, and Gatare, these fires have been efficiently contained.
“Nonetheless, the state of affairs stays fluid, and the chance of recent outbreaks stays a critical concern,” it added.
The precise causes of the wildfires in varied parks are nonetheless below investigation. Nonetheless, a spread of things is believed to contribute to the outbreak of those fires.
Human actions corresponding to discarded cigarettes, arson, and honey harvesting, in addition to excessive dry situations exacerbated by the continuing dry season, are suspected to play a task.
Specifically, the fireplace within the Mt Elgon area highlighted the dangers posed to ecologically delicate areas, corresponding to bamboo forests, that are extremely susceptible to fireplace harm.
Equally, the fireplace in South Island Nationwide Park underscored the difficulties posed by rugged terrain, which made firefighting efforts far more difficult. The robust winds and tough situations made it more durable to comprise the blaze shortly.
A WhatsApp hotline and a toll-free quantity to report fireplace outbreaks have been offered by KWS. PHOTO/KWS
KWS has outlined a sequence of methods to curb the impression of the fires and forestall future outbreaks. These measures embrace enhanced aerial and floor patrols and elevated surveillance in high-risk zones to observe and reply to potential threats.
There may be additionally fast deployment of firefighting models and using helicopters and floor firefighting groups for faster containment and collaboration with native communities and dealing carefully with county Governments and conservation companions to strengthen response efforts.
In an effort to additional perceive and deal with the disaster, the Cupboard Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, is anticipated to go to Nairobi Nationwide Park.
She is ready to evaluate the state of affairs first-hand and maintain a briefing to supply updates on the response efforts. Her go to may also embrace a morale-boosting session with the firefighters and different emergency groups on the bottom, acknowledging their tireless efforts.
In mild of the continuing disaster, KWS has issued a public advisory urging residents and guests to stick to emergency directives. The general public is urged to keep away from actions that would doubtlessly ignite fires, corresponding to lighting open flames or discarding cigarettes.
Those that observe potential fireplace hazards are inspired to right away report them to KWS by way of their toll-free quantity 0800 597 000 or WhatsApp quantity 0726610509.
The continuing assist from KDF, KFS rangers, volunteers, native communities, and county companies has been essential within the battle in opposition to these devastating fires. Their collaborative efforts are very important to safeguarding Kenya’s wealthy biodiversity and making certain the survival of its distinctive wildlife.
The continuing dry season presents an actual and ongoing threat to Kenya’s nationwide parks, and the necessity for continued vigilance and neighborhood engagement has by no means been extra urgent.
Collectively, by way of swift motion, inter-agency cooperation, and public consciousness, Kenya can defend its pure heritage from the devastating results of wildfires.
