Written By Lisa Murimi
Makueni County residents are urgently calling on the Kenyan government to intervene as devastating forest fires continue to ravage the area, destroying over 80 hectares of forest land.
The fires, which have now engulfed the Chai, Makuli, and Chyulu forests, have left locals struggling to contain the blaze with little government support, they say.
“This fire has destroyed our forests, and the government has not done anything about it yet,” said one resident.
Frustration is mounting as the flames drive wildlife into human settlements, creating further risks.
“When the fire gets to them, the animals come down and destroy our crops. Monkeys, gorillas, and even snakes are here, putting us at risk,” the resident added.
Although Kenya has been vocal about environmental conservation, residents are left questioning government preparedness and response as fires threaten the ecosystem and increase the likelihood of human-animal conflict.
This is not the first time Kenyan forests have suffered from severe fires.
In 2022, over 12,000 acres of Mount Kenya Forest were scorched despite efforts by Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, and local communities to contain the blaze.
The Makueni fires underscore ongoing challenges in forest protection and disaster response across the nation.