It is a disaster. Its effects will be far reaching not only for Kenyans but for the whole world.  The Mount Kenya fire has resulted in destruction of untold proportions.  It has taken ten days of concerted effort to finally quell the raging tongues of flames. In its trail, the fire has burnt over 10% of the forest cover in Mt Kenya. This notwithstanding, another fire is causing even worse damage as we speak. The Aberdare Ranges are being consumed.

Sad to say, the word is that this fires were deliberately started....arson....who in their right mind would do such a thing. Do they understand the implications of their actions?   In monetary value, we are looking at over 8 billion shillings worth of trees.  Over 10000 hectares of Indigenous trees that have taken many years to grow, that have taken the effort of Kenyans to plant are no more.  Very rare species of animals and plants are feared to have been destroyed in the fire.

We commend the efforts of those noble Kenyans who worked tirelessly, risking their lives to put out the fire. Of note are the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers who did their best to save the endangered animals but unfortunately small invertebrates, birds, insects and other small mammals like rodents are feared to not have survived the inferno. Fortunately, the big mammals managed to escape.

This tragedy has jeopardized Kenya?s efforts to increase its forest cover. Sadly this comes just after reforestations efforts were starting to bear fruits.  Forest cover is said to have more than tripled over the past decades and these fires are sure to take Kenya steps back.

The Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare are not only a habitat to indigenous and rare species of flora and fauna, it is also Kenya?s most important water catchment. Its water caters for over 80% of Nairobi?s and its environs water needs.  Over 70% of Kenya hydroelectric power comes from rivers having their source in the Aberdare Ranges.  The forests have also acted as a carbon sink and the lungs of Kenya?s major city. These forests are the most beautiful, rich and luxuriant treasures Kenya has been blessed with. Therefore, this is a great loss.

As the world struggles with issues related to climate change, any loss of forest cover is a big concern that requires all to stop, think and take action. I believe that right now ?Mama Miti?, the mother of trees, the late Nobel Laureate, Wangari Maathai is weeping.

It?s time for all of us to be humming birds. Let?s all do the best we can do.

Kenyans, we cannot sit back and hope that someone else will help us reclaim our forests. Kenyans are known for being resilient, for coming together for a worthy cause. This is a worthy cause; it is a treasure for us to enjoy generations to come. Let us come together; join hands and save our motherland.

references; Standard and Nation newspaper Websites

photos from Nation.co.ke and IOL News