Fire destroys over 300 hectares of forest in Laikipia County

Over 300 hectares of forests cover have been destroyed by fire during the current dry spell in Laikipia County.

According to the Laikipia County Ecosystem Conservator Stephen Karega, the most affected forests in the County are Shamanek and South Marmanet.

Speaking during a visit at the two forests to assess the situation, Karega said at least 10 fires have been witnessed at the area in the last one month since declaration of the fire season in January.

He attributed the forest fires at the Shamanek and South Marmanet forests to arson and ruled out that charcoal burning within the forests was the major cause of the fires.

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His sentiments were echoed by Onyango Lumumba, a forest manager at Shamanek forest station who said that arsonists were starting the fire so as to divert the rangers’ attention.

One person has since been arraigned in court for torching the forest. This comes as fierce fire erupted at the Aberdare forest in Nyandarua County destroying hundreds of hectares of grass land.

According to Nyandarua County commissioner Boaz Cherutich, the fire is suspected to have beeb started by honey harvesters or grazers.

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