The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) intends to rehabilitate 400 acres of Gathioro forest, devastated by wildfires early this year.
Nyeri County Forest Conservator Esther Mugo says they plan to replenish the affected areas with indigenous trees as part of KFS efforts to increase forest cover around the Mount Kenya forest circuit.
Mugo has also urged members of the public to desist from igniting controlled fires in their farms, saying the practice is to blame for the frequent fires that are often reported in forested areas during the dry season. "Parts of Gathioro forest station that got burnt within the Mount Kenya region and around 400 acres got burnt, translating to about 160 hectares.
This area was covered by grass and some shrubs, and no trees were touched.
