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Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has confirmed that a discarded cigarette butt was responsible for the wildfire that burned 210 acres of Nairobi National Park.
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During an assessment visit, Miano explained that the fire started in the Athi Basin area near Kitengela and was quickly brought under control thanks to a coordinated multi-agency response.
She noted that the dry season from January to March significantly heightens the risk of wildfires, and in this case, human negligence appeared to be the cause.
“As you can see, the affected area is at the farthest end of the park, close to the road. The evidence points to a lit cigarette dropped by someone passing through, which ignited the dry grass and caused the fire to spread rapidly,” she explained.
The fire started around 4 p.m. on Friday and was fully extinguished by that night, thanks to the joint efforts of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), county emergency teams, security agencies, and local communities.
Miano praised the response teams for their quick action and assured the public that the park remains safe and open for visitors.
No wildlife harmed
The Cabinet Secretary also emphasized that no wildlife was harmed, crediting the KWS rangers, particularly the rhino monitoring units, for ensuring the animals’ safety.
“I’ve been assured that no animals were lost in the fire. The KWS team acted swiftly to protect wildlife and contain the fire before it spread further,” she said.
Although the burned area covers less than one percent of the park’s total area, Miano acknowledged that even small-scale habitat destruction can have lasting environmental impacts.
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“Any form of habitat damage, no matter how small, can affect biodiversity. Thankfully, this fire was contained in time, preventing a much larger environmental disaster,” she remarked.
Miano also pointed out recent wildfires in Kenya’s protected areas, including the Aberdare ecosystem, urging heightened vigilance during the dry season.
“I urge all Kenyans to be cautious and report any signs of wildfires to the relevant authorities. The government is committed to preserving our natural heritage for future generations,” she stated.
She expressed her thanks to the firefighters, KWS, KDF, KFS, Nairobi County Government, local communities, and conservation partners for their hard work in containing the fire.
