The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has refuted reports indicating that a volcanic eruption occurred at Mt Longonot.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, an official clarified that the flames witnessed at the mountain on Thursday evening, October 27, was from a fire incident.
The KWS official added that the Kenyans mistook the fire incident for an eruption given that the fire was seen around the crater.
However, the cause of the fire was yet to be established.
"It was not an eruption. It was a fire that broke out around the crater. The team on the ground is yet to determine the cause of the fire.
"The fire was immediately dealt with and the park is now safe for use," the official stated.
Other reports indicated that the residents were in panic mode with others fleeing the area for their safety.
"Just witnessed some eruption from Mt. Longonot. Lava is flowing from the mountain.
"No wonder we've been having the earth tremors," one Kamau James claimed.
Mt Longont is a dormant volcano which resulted from the immense thermal activity taking place beneath the Great Rift Valley floor.
Fires on tourist destinations have been common in recent years with hot weather and human activities last being among the major causes of the fire.
In September 2021, a section of the mountain went up in flames. At the time, it was established that the fire was started by hikers who had visited the tourist site.
