Isiolo fire contained after nine days

A fire that ravaged Cherab and Garbatulla sub-counties in Isiolo for nine days has finally been contained.

In a statement on Sunday, Interior Security Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo confirmed that the inferno  had destroyed approximately 2,500 hectares of forest.

“The various emergency teams have done a commendable job. They managed to completely contain the fires yesterday and are now monitoring the situation,” said Omollo.

The PS also issued a stern warning to locals against reckless lighting of fires, stating that legal action would be taken against anyone found responsible.

Investigations are underway into reports that the fires may have been started by herders attempting to clear pathways for their animals or scare away ticks and tsetse flies. Other claims suggest that honey harvesters could have sparked the blaze.

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Omollo emphasized that fires lit during dry and windy conditions could easily spiral out of control, destroying vast pasturelands.

To support affected communities, Omollo said the government would help livestock farmers who lost animals during the dry season by facilitating restocking efforts. Additionally, locals would receive assistance in securing pasture for their livestock.

Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi echoed Omollo’s concerns, urging the community to avoid lighting fires during the dry season and pointing to climate change as a contributing factor to the increased incidents.

“I encourage everyone to plant trees when the rains come to help combat climate change. Just the other day, we were dealing with floods, and now we’re battling fires during the dry season. This is a clear impact of climate change,” said Mugambi.