Mount Kenya fire put out

The fire that has consumed the Mount Kenya Forest for the last nine days has been contained.

It had destroyed 10 per cent of the forest, leading to heavy losses in terms of trees and wildlife.

A statement from the Kenya Wildlife Service said there are no more active fires burning in the mountain.

“However, logs are still smouldering in isolated parts.

"Small teams of fire-fighters from Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service are monitoring the smouldering fires and putting them out,” the statement from KWS said.

Investigations by KWS indicate the fire was caused by arsonists.

A combined force of various agencies and the local communities had been battling the fire that spread quickly due to the prevailing dry weather.

KWS said big mammals such as elephants, buffalos, bush bucks and primates were able to escape.

“However, an unknown number of smaller invertebrates and reptiles like snakes were killed by the fire."

It urged the public to be careful when handling fires during the dry weather condition expected to continue for a few days before the onset of the long rains.

Another fire has also been burning in the neighbouring Aberdare ranges but KWS said it has “also largely been contained".

The fire fighting involved personnel from KWS, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Police, Kenya Army, National Youth Service and the British Army among others.