300,000 acres of grazing land destroyed in Isiolo bushfire - CS Murkomen

At least 300,000 acres of grazing land have been destroyed by a bushfire in Isiolo County.

The Ministry of Interior in an update disclosed that the fire, which started on Friday, January 17, 202 has spread across Garbatulla and Cherab sub-counties, fueled by strong winds and scorching temperatures.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the extent of the damage on Monday, noting that the fire has posed significant challenges but has largely been contained.

"Isiolo County remains largely calm, except for a bushfire that has been consuming vast pasture land in Garbatulla and Cherab sub-counties," he stated.

A multi-agency response team, including the National Police Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Red Cross, and local community members, has been working to prevent further destruction.

While most of the fire has been contained, smaller pockets of flames persist in Sericho and Malkagada, where efforts to extinguish them are ongoing.

Loss of grazing land

Residents have raised concerns over the loss of vital grazing land. Borana Head of the Council of Elders, Mohamed Konso, described the damage as devastating.

"The fire has destroyed grazing land adequate to feed our cattle for the next two years," he said.

Konso added that the response was delayed despite residents notifying local authorities 72 hours after the fire began.

The fire, which began in Merti, has spread to other grazing areas, including Martaba, Korbesa, Malkagala, Iresaboru, Badana, and Sericho.

Although no human settlements, livestock, or wildlife have been affected, the destruction of pastureland has heightened fears of economic hardship for the region's pastoralist communities.

The Ministry of Interior has urged residents to remain vigilant and assured them of continued efforts to put out the remaining flames.

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