KDF Soldiers deployed in Nyeri to avert Mount Kenya National Park fire crisis

KDF deployed in Nyeri

Mark Mwithaga

March 1, 2019 5:59 PM

Last ditch effort

KDF soldiers

Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers were on Friday deployed in Nyeri County after the Mount Kenya Forest wildfire continued to wreak havoc in the region.

Isaac Mugo, who is the Mount Kenya Senior Warden, stated that the officers were deployed to help out the fire that had begun spreading into the Nyeri area.

KDF soldiers scanning an area Pulse Live Kenya

“We are doing everything possible to put out the fire but we are equally facing challenges from the strong winds that are blowing in the mountain,” remarked Mugo.

The soldiers arrived in four lorries to offer backup for approximately 120 rangers who had been fighting the inferno since the day it started.

The senior warden further explained that another group of the officers had moved towards the Chogoria gate to help create a break to avoid the spread of the inferno towards the bamboo forest.

The raging fire had affected Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga and Embu Counties.

Bhang farmers claimed to be reason for fire outbreak

Close to 80, 000 hectares of Moorland in the park had been destroyed by the fire after it broke out on Saturday.

Reports had claimed that the fire had been started by Bhang farmers who were clearing an area to plant Marijuana.

Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service officers putting out a fire in Mount Kenya National Park (Nation) Pulse Live Kenya

On Wednesday, Kenya Forest Service chief conservator Monica Kalenda, had however stated that the cause of fire was yet to be established.

Kalenda aside from the claim of the farmers, remarked that she could not rule out the possibility that poachers and illegal honey harvesters were the cause of the fire.

Mark Mwithaga