The government has revealed that the recent spate of wildfires in National Parks could have easily been avoided since they are largely a result of human error.

In Nairobi, a fire ravaged part of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on February 21, and this was followed by another wildfire in the Nairobi National Park a week later.

Kenya Wildlife Service released a detailed report on Saturday, March 1, explaining the extent of the damage caused by a ruthless fire that razed down a section of Nairobi National Park.

While most of the wildfires across the country have been contained, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano revealed  Ruma National Park was still burning in some sections, with efforts to contain the inferno being intensified. '

Tourism CS Rebecca Miano at a meeting with KWS officers on August 22.

Photo

Miano

“Ruma National Park remains the only protected area where a wildfire is still active, with firefighters working relentlessly to suppress the flames,” the CS said as she observed that January to March as regarded as a fire season.

Amid questions on what has been causing the fires, particularly in national parks, the CS further revealed the fires were largely due to costly human error. According to Miano, one of the wildfires was sparked by the ember of a cigarette from a careless smoker.

“In some cases, cultural beliefs linking fire to rainfall also contributed to deliberate ignitions, while careless smoking and the improper disposal of cigarette butts further exacerbated the problem,” Miano added.

The CS also attributed the wildfires to extreme weather conditions, with the country largely experiencing dry weather which makes vegetation highly flammable.

However, human activities including honey harvesting, farmers clearing land and arsonism are the leading causes of wildfires across the country, according to the KWS.

The CS  also provided updates on a bushfire in South Island National Park, Loiyangalani, Marsabit County, which had burned at least 60 square kilometres. The fire ignited on February 17 and burned for four days.

Elsewhere, in Mt. Elgon National Park, a fire in Kimothon Forest near Saum was contained before it could cause extensive damage and potentially destroy critical bamboo ecosystems.

Similarly, earlier wildfires in Tsavo West National Park were successfully put out, preventing further damage.

A screengrab of a fire engine fighting the fire, Friday, February 21, 2025.

Photo

Okumu Modachi