Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo has issued an update on the forest inferno that swept through parts of two sub-counties in Isiolo County.
Speaking at Sericho in Isiolo County on Sunday, January 26, 2025, PS Omollo said that the fires that had mainly affected animal pastures in Chenab and Garbatula sub-counties in Isiolo County have been contained.
“The emergency teams were dispatched to the two vast areas immediately after the raging fires started, “PS Omollo said.
The PS went on to say that investigations are being conducted to ascertain whether the fires were caused by herdsmen or honey harvesters
He further issued a stern warning to locals against the reckless lighting of fires in the area during dry and windy seasons.
Forest fires
Isiolo forest fire, which has been on for over a week, has affected at least 190,000 acres of grazing land the Kenya Red Cross has announced.
“For the last two days, we have been responding alongside @KWSKenya and community members to contain the wildfire in Sericho, Garbatula Sub County, Isiolo. The fire remains active, spreading toward Sericho, Biliki, Badana and Basa villages. Specialized equipment is being mobilized as efforts continue. We remain on the ground, responding and closely monitoring the situation,” Kenya Red Cross stated on January 19, 2025.
On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the Kenya Red Cross revealed that attempts by the multi-agency response team and the community to establish firebreaks and contain the fire have been unsuccessful.
The agency says that so far, no injuries or displacements have been reported.
“The situation remains active. Attempts by the multi-agency response team and the community to establish firebreaks and contain the fire have been unsuccessful. No injuries or displacements have been reported,” the statement read in part.
“However, at least 190,000 acres of grazing land have been affected. The mobilisation of specialised equipment, led by @NDOCKenya (Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre), including bulldozers, tractors, excavators and air support, is still underway to scale up containment efforts.”
Isiolo forest fires now contained.
The fires that had mainly affected animal pasture in Chenab and Garbatula sub-counties in Isiolo county have been contained.
Speaking at Sericho today, the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond… pic.twitter.com/vQicW0TRmb
— Ministry of Interior | Kenya (@InteriorKE) January 26, 2025
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