Govt Issues Update On Isiolo Wildfire Affecting 300,000 Acres Of Land

The government, through the Ministry of Interior, has urged residents of Isiolo to remain vigilant despite intervention in wildfires that ravaged vast tracts of land in Garbatulla and Cherab sub-counties.

In a statement on Monday, January 20, the Ministry revealed that Isiolo remained largely calm, except for the bushfires which have affected an estimated 300,000 acres and have posed a significant challenge due to strong winds and hot weather conditions.

"A multi-agency team comprising of National Government Administrative Officers, the National Police Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Red Cross, the County Government of Isiolo and local community members, spent the better part of yesterday containing the spread of the fire and preventing further destruction," the statement read in part.

An image of bushfires in Isiolo. /FILE

The Ministry reported no casualties, however, and no damage to human settlements, livestock, or wildlife. "However, small pockets of fire remain in Sericho and Malkagada, where teams are still working to put them out," the statement added.

On Sunday, January 19, the Kenya Red Cross disclosed that the intensive wildfire destroyed huge tracts of grazing land in the region. Kenya Red Cross CEO Ahmed Idris noted that volunteers from the humanitarian organization in collaboration with locals helped create barriers to prevent the spread of the fire.

"Large tracks of grazing land burnt exposing communities to the possibility of limited pasture for their animals. A combination of strong winds and dry vegetation cover making it difficult to control the spread," Idris remarked.

The response followed an appeal by area residents who called for the intervention of both the county and the national government to help stop the fire, which began on Friday, January 17.

Led by Borana Head of Council of Elders, Mohamed Konso, the residents expressed fear that the wildfire could lead to massive property destruction and livestock deaths. Konso revealed that despite calls for government intervention, they were yet to receive help despite informing local authorities about the incident 72 hours after it began.

The head of the council of elders further disclosed that as of Sunday, January 19, the inferno had affected grazing land adequate to feed their cattle for the next two years.

The inferno consumed acres of grazing fields, leaving herders struggling to find a way to feed their livestock. Whereas the fire began at Merti, it spread to Iresaboru, Badana, and Sericho villages. Parts of Matarba, Korbesa, and Malkagalla were also affected.

The outbreak of the Isiolo wildfires has incidentally bore similarities to wildfires in Los Angeles, California in the United States (US), thousands of kilometres from Kenya. The wildfires ripped through almost 15,000 hectares since January 7, affecting a small number of Kenyans residing in some of the areas.