Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers have joined firefighters in trying to put out a fire that started on Saturday in Mt. Kenya forest.
The KWS officials have stated that a huge percentage of the wild fire has been contained.
80,000 hectares of moorland in the mountain has been destroyed by the fire so far.
The Chief Conservator, Monica Kalenda stated this was the 114th forest fire since the declaration of the fire season in January 2019.
Kalenda added she was impressed by the efforts of the multi-agency team, headed by Tharaka Nithi Commissioner Beverly Opwora in fighting the fire.
“We are pleased that the team has managed to contain the fire though not completely,” the Conservator stated.
According to The Standard, there had been a challenge as the firefighters would travel from the forest to Chogoria about 30km and back again the following day.
Isaac Mugo, the park’s senior warden cited on Tuesday the fire was spreading fast due to strong winds.
“We have been battling the fire, which is spreading so fast due to strong winds, using two choppers and hand pumps,” stated Mugo.
The warden suspected the fire could have been caused by either honey harvesters or poachers.