KENYA BURNING

In a recent report by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya has witnessed an alarming surge in forest fires, with 180 incidents recorded since January 2025, devastating over 1,357 hectares of vegetation across protected areas such as the Maasai Mau, North Rift, Coast, Central Highlands (including Mt Kenya and Aberdares), and Eastern Conservancies. The rapid escalation of fire outbreaks, particularly in the past week, has raised concerns about a deepening crisis. KFS attributes this trend to high temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, and the accumulation of combustible materials, exacerbated by the unprecedented high rainfall in 2024. The fire season is expected to persist until mid-March. In response, KFS has deployed additional firefighting resources and personnel, suspended all vegetation burning near or within forested areas, and mandated a 48-hour prior written notification for any intended burning near forest reserves.

A Call for Immediate and Decisive Action

The recent spate of wildfires across Kenya is a glaring testament to our nation's chronic failure to proactively address a recurring and intensifying threat. Despite the predictability of these fire seasons, our preparedness remains woefully inadequate, revealing a systemic neglect that endangers our ecosystems, wildlife, and communities.

A Predictable Crisis Met with Unpreparedness

The unprecedented high rainfall of 2024 led to a proliferation of vegetation, which, upon drying, has become highly combustible fuel. This was an anticipated outcome, yet there was a conspicuous absence of comprehensive risk assessment, strategic planning, and community training to mitigate the impending danger. Instead, we find ourselves ensnared in a perpetual cycle of surprise and reactive emergency responses each year.

The Ecological and Economic Toll

Our rich biodiversity is under siege. The destruction of over 1,357 hectares of vital ecosystems not only threatens countless species but also undermines the livelihoods of communities dependent on these natural resources. The financial and environmental costs of these fires are escalating, and without decisive action, they will continue to rise.

A Climate Change Imperative

These wildfires are not isolated incidents but are symptomatic of broader climate change impacts. They underscore the ecological fragility of our nation and the urgent need to integrate climate resilience into our national policies. Addressing this crisis is not merely an environmental obligation but a socio-economic imperative that demands immediate attention.

A Call for a Multi-Agency National Climate Disaster Preparedness Plan

It is imperative that we break free from this reactive posture. I call upon the government to spearhead the development of a robust, multi-agency national climate disaster preparedness plan. This plan must encompass:

• Comprehensive Risk Assessments: Identifying vulnerable areas and implementing targeted mitigation strategies.
• Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation: Ensuring that all relevant agencies are equipped and coordinated to respond effectively.
• Community Engagement and Training: Empowering local populations with the knowledge and tools to prevent and combat wildfires.
• Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Utilizing technology and data to anticipate risks and assess the effectiveness of interventions.

This collaborative approach must involve governmental bodies, environmental authorities, local communities, and supporting organizations. Only through unified and proactive measures can we hope to safeguard our nation's natural heritage and build resilience against the mounting threats posed by climate change.

The time for complacency has long passed. Our environment, our wildlife, and our people deserve nothing less than our unwavering commitment to decisive and sustained action.