The government has issued a renewed warning to residents of Isiolo affected by the ongoing wildfire, urging them to remain vigilant despite the progress made in controlling the flames.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a statement on Monday, January 20, cautioned locals to stay alert as efforts to fully extinguish the fire continued.
The wildfire, which has already ravaged an estimated 300,000 acres, remains a significant challenge due to the harsh conditions in the region, including strong winds and high temperatures.
Murkomen confirmed that a multi-agency team, including the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Red Cross, and the Isiolo County Government, has been working diligently to contain the fire and prevent further damage.
While vast areas of grazing land have been affected, no casualties or damage to human settlements, livestock, or wildlife have been reported.
However, small pockets of fire persist in Sericho and Malkagada, where emergency teams continue their efforts to fully extinguish the blaze.
“Residents are advised to remain cautious as these efforts are ongoing,” Murkomen said.
The wildfire, which began on January 17, has raised concerns among local residents, with some areas reporting the destruction of vital pasture land.
Mohamed Konso, the Borana Head of Council of Elders, led an appeal to both the national and county governments, calling for immediate intervention to curb the fire’s spread.
The residents fear significant losses of property and livestock if the fire is not swiftly addressed.
The fire, which started in the Merti area, has since spread to other grazing fields, including Martaba, Korbesa, Malkagala, and parts of Sericho, Badana, and Iresaboru.
As of Sunday, January 19, it was reported that the blaze had destroyed grazing land that would have sustained their cattle for the next two years.
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