Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano on Saturday confirmed that the recent fire in Nairobi National Park was caused by a discarded cigarette butt.
The fire broke out in the Athi Basin area near Kitengela and destroyed 210 acres of the park’s 28,000-acre expanse.
Miano stated that the fire season, which runs from January to March, increases the risk of wildfires due to dry conditions.
She noted that the blaze originated near a road, likely from a lit cigarette carelessly dropped by a passerby.
The fire started around 4 PM and was successfully contained later in the night through a coordinated multi-agency effort.
The response team included the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), county government teams, security agencies, and members of the local community.
Miano commended the swift action of the responders, confirming that no wildlife was reported harmed.
She assured visitors that the park remains open and tourism activities, such as game drives, continue as usual.
She reiterated that no animals were lost in the fire, citing reports from KWS rangers, particularly the rhino monitoring units, who acted promptly to ensure the safety of wildlife.
Although the fire affected less than one per cent of the park, Miano acknowledged that any habitat loss, however small, can impact biodiversity.
She expressed relief that the fire was contained before it caused greater environmental damage.
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted recent wildfire incidents in Kenya’s protected areas, including fires in the Aberdare ecosystem.
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