Raging fire consumes 30,000 acres of moorland in Mt Kenya forest
Firefighters battle to put out fire that has already consumed over 24,000 acres of moorland in Mt Kenya Forest on September 1, 2026.
What you need to know:
- Firefighters have had to be transported by helicopters to the lower peaks of the mountain to contain the fires.
- The fire broke out as teams fought to contain fires in the Aberdare ranges, where more than 200 acres of forest was destroyed.
Close to 30,000 acres of moorland in Mt Kenya forest have been consumed by a raging fire which broke out on Monday, September 1, before spreading to about 17 spots.
Meru County Conservator Wellington Ndaka told the Daily Nation that the fire has affected four forest stations including Ruthumbi, Mucheene, Marania and Meru, and risked spreading into areas covered with critical bamboo trees.
Mr Ndaka said the fire was spreading fast powered by strong winds, dry weather and highly flammable moorland shrubs.
He said than 800 people including locals, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers, Kenya Defence Forces, are valiantly fighting the fire.
The efforts to put out the fire are also supported by conservation organisations, including Mount Kenya Trust, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Rhino Ark, Borana Conservancy, Kisima Farm and Tropic Air.
"The efforts are being slowed by a difficult terrain and the prevailing weather conditions. We are using KDF and KFS graders to create fire breaks to prevent it from spreading to the indigenous trees and bamboo forest," Mr Ndaka said.
According to a report by Mount Kenya Trust, it took several hours to reach the location of the first fire incidence on Monday last week.
Firefighters battle to put out fire that has already consumed over 24,000 acres of moorland in Mt Kenya Forest on September 1, 2026.
"Over the last five days, we have had up to 17 fire points visible at one time. On Tuesday and Wednesday, fires remained on the eastern flank of Kibaranyaki. On Thursday, fires moved south and west from Rutundu towards Lake Alice and Lake Ellis. After the fires were put out in the early hours, more spread by midday due to high winds," the report indicates.
Firefighters have had to be transported by helicopters to the lower peaks of the mountain to contain the fires that spread towards Kathita gorge and Lake Rutundu.
However, the teams had to withdraw as strong winds made the fires unbearable.
The County Conservator appealed on well-wishers and organisations to support the exercise with food rations, fire fighting tools and fuel.
Members of community forest associations have also been urged to volunteer in fighting the multiple fires.
The fire broke out as teams fought to contain fires in the Aberdare ranges, where more than 200 acres of forest was destroyed.
Speaking while assessing the firefighting efforts in the Mt Kenya ecosystem, Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi maintained that construction of an airstrip was an essential infrastructure for such emergencies.
"If we had an airstrip in the forest, it would be easier to contain the fire that is spreading fast on Mt Kenya. The terrain is very challenging to be tacked by people on foot. God willing, we will complete the project," Mr Mugambi said.
According to KFS, frequent forest fires have destroyed more than 96,000 acres of forest land in the last five years.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
