Fifteen acres of forest cover in Katende forest in Mbooni West sub-county has been destroyed by fire.
The County Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Ecosystem Conservator, Joseph Wakiaga confirmed the Wednesday 6.30am fire that was reported by members of the community.
Wakiaga said KFS rangers assisted by residents were making all efforts to put off the fire which was spreading very fast due the current dry season coupled with strong winds.
Nobody has so far been arrested in connection with the incident. However, the Ecosystem conservator cautioned residents living around the forest to desist from activities that could cause fire like charcoal burning, smoking, harvesting of honey using fire and burning land to prepare it for planting.
“Smoking is prohibited around the forest and farmers preparing their farms through burning must stop,” said Wakiaga, while speaking to KNA in his Wote office on Wednesday.
By the time of going to press, the fire was still burning.
This is the second fire to hit the forest this year. Early last month, 30 acres of the forest was destroyed when a man
tried to burn charcoal.
By Rose Nzembi/Patrick Nyakundi
