Firefighting teams are closing in on a major wildfire that has burnt about 21,500 acres of moorland in the Mt Kenya ecosystem, with the northern section already contained and efforts focused on the remaining hotspots.
The blaze, which started on September 1, spread quickly across the ecosystem after strong winds and high temperatures pushed the flames in different directions.
Rhino Ark Charitable Trust said on Tuesday that teams had managed to contain the fire in the northern part, while the section towards the south remained active.
“The fire in the northern part was contained yesterday (Monday). However, the one in the south is still raging today (Tuesday) with all the partners on the ground tackling it the best way possible,” Rhino Ark Charitable Trust said.
The organisation said the fire moved north towards Marania Forest and south-west towards Chogoria, making the response more difficult as the flames continued to cover large areas.
Mount Kenya Trust, Lewa Conservancy, the Kenya Forest Service and the Kenya Wildlife Service were among the agencies that moved in to fight the blaze when it was first reported.
However, the fire continued spreading despite their efforts, leading to the involvement of Rhino Ark Charitable Trust and the Kenya Defence Forces, which provided more support to the firefighting operation.
Rhino Ark has also teamed up with Tropic Air to conduct aerial reconnaissance flights each day. The flights are helping teams assess the affected areas and plan the firefighting work on the ground.
“As of September 6, about 8700 hectares (21,500 acres) of moorlands were burnt.”
Environment CS Deborah Barasa said on Monday that the government had put in place a coordinated response to protect the Mount Kenya Forest Ecosystem, communities and wildlife from the fire.
“We are acting now while putting in place long-term measures to make our forests safer, healthier and more resilient. We continue to strengthen the coordinated response to the ongoing forest fire in the Mount Kenya Forest Ecosystem in Meru county, with a clear focus on protecting our forests, wildlife, communities and Kenya’s natural heritage.”
Barasa said the fire had been 80 per cent suppressed by Monday, leaving firefighting teams to concentrate on hotspots in Mucheene and Ruthumbi.
She said the forest fire command centre had helped in detecting the blaze early, giving Kenya Forest Service officers and other response teams an opportunity to move in quickly.
“We are also continuing community sensitisation on fire prevention, early reporting and safe practices to help prevent future fires. Ground and aerial teams have been supported with helicopters, fire engines, troop carriers, vehicles, bulldozers and graders, strengthening firefighting, access and monitoring operations.”
The CS said the ministry was also working to improve the country's ability to deal with future forest fires through better forest roads, strategic firebreaks and stronger surveillance.
Other measures include improving coordination between agencies, increasing access to firefighting equipment and providing regular training for both professional and community firefighting teams.
The response follows the launch of a Sh2.8 billion forest firefighting and surveillance project by KFS in March 2025.
The project, funded jointly by the French and Kenyan governments, was intended to improve firefighting capacity in the Mau, Aberdares and Mt Kenya ecosystems across 14 counties.
Through the programme, KFS has acquired advanced fire engines, chaff trucks, troop carriers and surveillance drones capable of covering a range of 100km.
The service has also received digital communication equipment and a command centre designed to support rapid action when forest fires occur.
KFS has further trained 22 officers as firefighters at its Forest Law Enforcement Academy in Londiani, Kericho county.
The officers are now part of the service's firefighting brigade, with responsibility for handling fires in gazetted forests and supporting other institutions during emergencies.
The trainees were selected from the protection and security directorate and received training from instructors from the Valabre School of Security and Fire Fighting in France.