Bush Fire Erupts Along Voi-Taveta Road

A bush fire on Sunday night, September 6, broke out along the Voi-Taveta Road in Taita Taveta County. 

In a statement, the Kenya Red Cross said a fire brigade team was deployed to contain the inferno and keep the residents safe. 

The organization also clarified that the blaze was a bush fire and not the result of a tanker accident. 

“Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Wildlife Service and the County fire brigade remain on the ground working to contain a bush fire along the Voi-Taveta Road and keep nearby residents safe. Note: Earlier reports described this as a tanker fire. 

“Ground teams have since confirmed it is a bush fire. More updates to follow as the situation develops,” Kenya Red Cross stated. 

The inferno which erupted on Sunday night spread quickly into the nearby vegetation along the Voi-Taveta Road.  

The authorities are yet to reveal how the bush fire started and the extent of the damage caused.

This comes days after the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) responded to reports claiming that about 200 acres of forest land had been destroyed by fire at the Aberdare Forest in Nyandarua County.

In a brief statement on Wednesday, September 2, KFS said the claims are yet to be verified.

The service said it remains prepared to respond to forest fires and has deployed the necessary resources to strengthen its fire management operations.

"The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) remains fully prepared to monitor, prevent, contain and suppress forest fires, with the necessary personnel, equipment and resources deployed to strengthen fire management operations," the statement read.

KFS said it is coordinating with communities living near forests and other stakeholders as efforts continue to manage the fire within the wider Mt. Kenya Forest Ecosystem.

"The Service is also working closely with forest-adjacent communities and other stakeholders to coordinate ongoing efforts to contain and manage the fire within the Mt. Kenya Forest Ecosystem," the statement added.