CS Murkomen Issues An Update On Wildfire Ravaging Through Isiolo County
The government, through the Ministry of Interior, has asked Isiolo people affected by the wildfire to exercise caution despite its intervention.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen issued a statement on Monday, January 20, urging citizens to remain watchful while attempts to completely extinguish the residual fire continue.
Bushfire Update – Isiolo County
— Ministry of Interior | Kenya (@InteriorKE) January 20, 2025
Isiolo remains largely calm, except for a bushfire that has been consuming vast pasture land in Garbatulla and Cherab Sub-Counties.
The fire, which has affected an estimated 300,000 acres, has posed a significant challenge due to strong winds…
Murkomen stated during the announcement that the fire, which has affected an estimated 300,000 acres, provided considerable difficulty due to the area’s high winds and hot weather.
He reported that a multi-agency team composed of the National Police Service (NPS), the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Red Cross, and the County Government of Isiolo was already on the scene.
The CS also confirmed that the contingency had confined the fire to prevent further destruction.
An intensive bush fire in Isiolo County Chetab and Sericho wards.
— Ahmed Idris (@IrshadIdris) January 19, 2025
Large tracks of grazing land burnt exposing communities to possibility of limited pasture for their animals. @KenyaRedCross volunteers supporting the community in creating fire breaks to halt the spread of the… pic.twitter.com/iRS8eXUoqs
According to him, despite the fact that the fire affected wide stretches of grazing ground, no injuries were reported, and no human settlements, livestock, or wildlife were damaged.
“Small pockets of fire remain in Sericho and Malkagada, where teams are still working to put them out,” the CS stated.
“Residents are advised to remain cautious as ongoing efforts to fully extinguish the remaining fires continue.”
“Isiolo county remains largely calm, except for a bushfire that has been consuming vast pasture land in Garbatulla and Cherab Sub-Counties,” Murkomen added.
Wildfire in Isiolo County rages on for the 5th day. https://t.co/mIwn9PTy0A pic.twitter.com/dVsvZCSd7O
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) January 20, 2025
The ministry’s answer came after locals in the region requested that both the county and the national governments intervene to assist put out the fire, which started on Friday, January 17.
The people, led by Mohamed Konso, Borana’s Head of the Council of Elders, voiced concern that the wildfire would cause widespread property devastation and cattle deaths.
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Konso said that despite appeals for government intervention, they were failed to obtain assistance despite contacting local officials 72 hours after the event occurred.
The leader of the council of elders also said that, as of Sunday, January 19, the inferno had affected enough grazing ground to sustain their livestock for the next two years.
According to accounts, the fire started in the Merti area and spread to neighboring grazing grounds, including Martaba, Korbesa, and Malkagala.
According to reports, the fire also affected the Iresaboru, Badana, and Sericho communities.
CS Murkomen Issues An Update On Wildfire Ravaging Through Isiolo County
