The fire that devastated parts of Cherab and Garbatulla sub-counties in Isiolo County has been successfully contained, with the government issuing a strong warning to residents against reckless fire lighting.
According to Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo, the fire, which began on January 17, 2025, consumed approximately 2,500 hectares of forest and animal pasture.
Speaking in Sericho during a high-level assessment visit alongside Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi, Omollo acknowledged the destruction caused by the fire and lauded emergency teams for their swift response.
“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 identified the most affected areas as Sericho, Bandana, Dadacha Basa, Eleturku, and Merti, approximately 300 kilometers from Isiolo town. He noted that, despite the scale of the destruction, no human lives were lost.
Investigations are ongoing into the possible causes of the fire, including claims that herders may have started the blaze while clearing pathways for their animals or attempting to scare away ticks and tsetse flies. Other reports suggested that honey harvesters could be responsible.
Omollo emphasized the dangers of lighting fires during dry and windy seasons, warning that such actions could easily lead to uncontrollable infernos. He vowed strict action against anyone found guilty of recklessly starting fires.
The government deployed a multi-agency team to combat the fires, including personnel from the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT), and the Kenya Red Cross.
More than 120 rangers and 40 firefighting specialists, supported by aerial surveillance, participated in the operation. Equipment such as ChapTrack machines for firebreaks, firefighting engines, and 10,000-liter water bowsers were used to contain the inferno.
The government pledged to support pastoralists who lost animals during the dry season, with plans to assist in restocking and acquiring pasture for their herds.
Omollo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving livestock production, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the entire livestock value chain.
Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi attributed the increasing frequency of such disasters to climate change. He urged the local community to avoid lighting fires during dry and windy conditions and encouraged residents to plant trees during the rainy season to combat climate change.
“Just the other day, we were dealing with floods, and now we’re battling fires during the dry season. These events clearly point to the impact of climate change,” Mugambi said.
Also present were Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko and Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding, who joined the government in appreciating the firefighting teams for their efforts in containing the fire.
