Raging Wildfires Devastate Isiolo County: Over 190,000 Acres of Grazing Land Destroyed

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Sericho, Kenya| A fast-spreading wildfire has engulfed vast swathes of rangelands in Sericho Division and Badhana areas, leaving local pastoralist communities reeling from immense losses.

The fire, which was first spotted on Thursday, has intensified, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation, destroying more than 190,000 acres of prime grazing land as of January 20, 2025.

Initially igniting on the southern bank of the Waso River, the flames have since crossed over to the northern side, spreading rapidly and overwhelming efforts to contain it.

Officials believe the prevailing dry conditions, exacerbated by an ongoing drought, have provided a perfect breeding ground for the inferno.

Calls for Help from Remote Areas

The situation has worsened, with distress calls pouring in from remote villages such as Dadacha Bassa, Korbesa, and Mata Arba, where locals are struggling to protect their remaining pastureland and homes.

Residents fear that if the blaze is not controlled soon, it could reach densely populated areas, including the towns of Sericho, Biliqi, and Mata Arba.

“The fire has spread at an alarming rate, and we feel abandoned. We have lost everything—our grazing land, and soon we might lose our homes,” lamented Ali Hussein, a local elder from Korbesa.

Despite the scale of destruction, authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire.

However, past incidents of inter-community tensions leading to deliberate torching of rangelands cannot be ruled out.

Video: Community members battling raging wildfires without proper equipment|Source: Original

Government Criticism and Slow Response

Local leaders and residents have accused both the county and national governments of a sluggish response, which they say has allowed the fire to cause irreparable damage.

“We have been raising alarms since Thursday, but the response has been disappointingly slow. Our livestock depend entirely on these lands, and now we are left with nothing,” said Fatuma Wario, a pastoralist from Sericho.

Efforts to contain the fire have been hampered by poor infrastructure, lack of firefighting equipment, and the remote nature of the affected areas.

As of Monday, firefighting teams were still struggling to gain control of the flames.

In response to the growing outcry, County Disaster Management Officer Mohamed Abdi assured residents that emergency measures were being put in place.

“We are coordinating with the national disaster response teams to deploy additional resources, including aerial firefighting support, to prevent further spread,” Abdi said.

Climate Change and the Future of Pastoralism

Experts have pointed to climate change as a potential factor in the unprecedented scale of the fire.

Prolonged dry spells, coupled with increasing temperatures, have made the region more vulnerable to such disasters.

“This wildfire is a wake-up call. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it’s here with us. Local communities must adopt better land management practices to mitigate future risks,” said Dr. Amina Noor, an environmental scientist.

With the loss of grazing land, pastoralists now face a bleak future, forced to seek pasture in distant areas, increasing the risk of conflict over scarce resources.

As the fire rages on, the community remains on high alert, hoping for swift intervention to prevent further losses and safeguard their livelihoods.

Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any new fire outbreaks immediately.


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