Mount Kenya wildfire: Blaze persists as CS Barasa visits Meru

Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa toured Meru on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as the Mount Kenya wildfire continued to burn across parts of the mountain’s dry moorlands.

The fire, which broke out near Rutundu Lodge on Tuesday, September 1, has spread amid dry vegetation, strong winds and high temperatures, making containment difficult.

Rhino Ark said about 8,700 hectares of moorland had been burnt by Sunday, September 6, as firefighting teams continued efforts to contain the blaze.

Dry grass fuels blaze

Barasa attributed the rapid spread to the dry condition of the moorland, strong winds and the presence of invasive vegetation that can fuel fires.

“The moorland is a grassland which is full of… which is very dry. So that one would propagate,” Barasa said during her visit.

She identified Erica as one of the invasive species found in the affected area, saying its presence, combined with dry vegetation and strong winds, contributed to the fire spreading over a wider area.

The blaze has affected different sections of the mountain, with one fire front moving towards Marania Forest and another spreading south-west towards Chogoria.

The northern section had been contained by Monday, although firefighting efforts continued in the south.

Hundreds join firefighting

More than 400 personnel, including Kenya Forest Service officers, Kenya Defence Forces personnel, community members and other partners, have been deployed in the response, according to Barasa.

Other reports put the wider number of responders at more than 800 as additional conservation groups and community teams joined the operation.

Aerial reconnaissance has also been used to track the fire and guide teams on the ground, while organisations including Mount Kenya Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, Rhino Ark and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy have supported the operation.

Barasa said no large wild animals had so far been affected, although smaller animals had been impacted by the fire.

“There are no wild animals so far; just the small animals like the rabbits have been affected. Most of them have moved away,” she said.

The fire has also raised concerns over Mount Kenya’s wider ecosystem and tourism activities as teams continue working to prevent the remaining fire fronts from spreading.